Dhaka: The 96^th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be celebrated across the country on Thursday with due respect.

On March 17 in 1920, the architect of the nation was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj district.

Through his dynamic leadership, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had organised the Bengali nation to fight against the exploitation and repression by Pakistani rulers that culminated in independent Bangladesh through nine months of war in 1971.

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

The day is observed as National Children’s Day in Bangladesh. This is also a public holiday.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages marking the day.

The President said, ‘We’ll have to build our young generation with the spirit of noble qualities so that they can materialise Bangabandhu’s dream of transforming the country into “Sonar-Bangla”. We have to put in our sincere endeavour to flourish the intrinsic values of our children from their very childhood’.

He urged all, irrespective of party affiliation, to take united efforts for building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh and ensuring a bright future for children, according to a UNB report.

Hasina said, ‘The charismatic leadership and personality of Bangabandhu had brought the whole nation under one umbrella. As a result of which we got the independence and sovereign Bangladesh, and the Bangalee nationalism flourished.’

‘We are pledge-bound to make our beloved Bangladesh as a safe habitat for children. We have to work together, irrespective of party affiliation and opinion, to build the children developing their self-confidence, flourishing their patriotism, creativity and building their personality,’ she added.

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

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave at Tungipara at 10 am.

The Prime Minister will also join a cultural programme, a children’s gathering and discussion arranged on the occasion at Tungipara. She will also inaugurate a book fair and distribute sewing machines there.

Besides, the ruling Awami League, its associated bodies, socio-cultural and political organisations chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day in a befitting manner across the country.

The programmes of the ruling party include hoisting of the national and party flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital and AL offices across the country at 6.30 am, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7.00 am.

The ruling party will organise a discussion marking the Bangabandhu’s birth anniversary at Bangabandhu International Conference Center at 3pm on March 18.