Today is the 38th homecoming day of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

On May 17 in 1981, she returned after a long exile, the BSS reported.

‘I have come to stay beside the people of Bangladesh. I have taken part in the struggle for freedom. I have not come to be the leader of Awami League. I want to stay beside you as your sister, as your daughter, and as a worker of Awami League, who believes in the ideals of Bangabandhu,’ she told a huge mass at Manik Mia avenue on the day.

These were the first public remarks of Sheikh Hasina on her return home.

To mark the day, ruling Awami League (AL) and other political and social organisation have chalked out elaborate programmes.

President M Abdul Hamid today issued a message greeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her homecoming day.

He said Sheikh Hasina started movements for restoring democracy in the country. Subsequently, the dictatorship had collapsed amid a mass movement in 90s and democracy got victory, he added.

Under her leadership, Awami League (AL) won the general election on June 12 in 1996 and formed the government, Hamid said.

Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, 14-allaince has created a history by assuming the state power for the third consecutive term through December 30 polls and is running the government successfully, the President added.

Despite different problems, the country is moving ahead because of Sheikh Hasina’s farsighted and strong leadership and people-oriented activities, he said.

Describing the launching of country’s first satellite Bangabandhu-I as a milestone, Hamid said Sheikh Hasina has taken ‘Vision 2021’ and ‘Vision 2041′ programmes to turn the country into a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla.

He said the programmes taken by Sheikh Hasina to ensure democracy, development and welfare for the people are being considered as a role model in the world.

President Abdul Hamid wished her and her family members long life, prosperity and continuous success of her government.

He also wished all programmes marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 and the county’s golden jubilee in 2021 a success.

A large number of people had gathered outside the Kurmitola Airport in Dhaka to receive Sheikh Hasina on the home coming. They had come from every corner of the country and the whole thoroughfare from the Farmgate point to Kurmitola in the city was full of jubilant crowd.

Earlier, Awami League in its February 14-16 council meeting in 1981 elected Sheikh Hasina as the president of the party.

After a long hovering over the airport, an aircraft of Indian Airlines carrying Sheikh Hasina from New Delhi via Kolkata, touched the runway at 4:30pm.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members was brutally killed on August 15, 1975. Luckily his daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, were in Germany then, and thus became the survivors.

Wishing Sheikh Hasina long life and good health, AL General Secretary and Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, in a statement, said she has made huge contribution to development and well-being of the country.

He urged the party leaders, activists and likeminded organizations as well as the people of the country to observe the day through various programmes, including doa and milad mahfils, offering prayers at places of worship, bringing out processions and holding discussions, across the country.

Marking the day, Bangladesh Awami League (AL) will hold a discussion tomorrow at the Engineers Institution’ Ramna with AL Presidium Member and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair.