Dhaka: The 99th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be celebrated on Sunday in a befitting manner.

The day is celebrated as the National Children’s Day. It is also a public holiday.

On this day in 1920, the nation’s architect was born in Tungipara of Gopalganj, reports the UNB.

Through his dynamic leadership, Bangabandhu had organised the Bangalee nation to fight against exploitation and repression by the Pakistani rulers. The movement culminated in independent Bangladesh through the nine-month Liberation War in 1971.

On August 15, 1975, the great leader along with most of his family members was assassinated by a disgruntled group of army men.

Different sociopolitical organisations, including Awami League and its associated bodies, have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi at 7am.

President Abdul Hamid and the Prime Minister will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his grave in Tungipara at 10am.

Hasina will release a commemorative postage stamp on Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Bangabandhu, and unveil the cover of a book titled ‘Bangabandhuke Lekha Chithi’.

She will address a children’s rally, discussion meeting, cultural programme and open a book fair. She will also visit a painting exhibition of children and distribute sewing machines among the disadvantaged.

A Qurankhani and a milad mahfil will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

The ruling party will organise a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 3pm on Monday where Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina will speak.

Meanwhile, the President and the Prime Minister have issued separate messages on the occasion.

In his message, the President said, ‘We have to build our young generation with the spirit of noble qualities from their very childhood. Let us make our generation as enlightened citizens through providing proper education and knowledge and igniting them with the deep sense of patriotism so that they can make themselves as worthy citizens.’

In her message, the Prime Minister urged everyone to stop violence against children and child abuse. ‘Let us dedicate our present to the welfare of the children. Let us build Golden Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.’