The historic Mujibnagar Day is being observed on Wednesday marking the formation of Bangladesh's first government that led the War of Liberation in 1971.
The day began with the hoisting of the national flag and the placing of wreaths at the Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial in Meherpur.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion, by placing a wreath on Bangabandhu's portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
Afterwards, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.
Flanked by central leaders of the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also president of the party, placed another wreath there on behalf of the organization.
The government declared the day a public holiday in Mujibnagar upazila of Meherpur.
On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages.
Different socio-cultural and political organizations are marking the day with elaborate programs.
National dailies published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private radio and television channels aired special programs highlighting the significance of the day.
Similar programs at district and upazila levels as well as Bangladesh embassies in different countries have been arranged to highlight the significance of the day.
Senior leaders of the Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala, a mango orchard, which was later named Mujibnagar, in Meherpur on April 17, 1971 to form a provisional government of independent Bangladesh in the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who had been arrested and flown to Pakistan after Pakistan military had cracked down on the Bangalis on the night of March 25, 1971.
Bangabandhu was declared the first president of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while vice president Syed Nazrul Islam became acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister, while Khandoker Moshtaque Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were named cabinet members.
