Since 2009, the day has been celebrated throughout Bangladesh by engaging youth and creating awareness about children’s rights, on March 17. The day is being celebrated in Bangladesh as a tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was born on this day in 1920 in Tungipara of Gopalganj. The theme of this year’s birthday of Bangabandhu and National Children’s Day is “Bangabandhu’s birthday, rinse life of the children with colour”. In observance of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages paying profound respects to the memory of Bangabandhu. Both the President and the Prime Minister also greeted all children in Bangladesh and other parts of the world.
The prime minister Highlights various measures taken by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the welfare of the country’s children, Hasina said Bangabandhu had made the primary education free for students, while made the secondary education free for girls. With a view to protecting the rights of children, Bangabandhu enacted the children law in 1974, even much before 1989 when the United Nations took such an initiative, she recalled while addressing a Children’s Rally and Cultural Programme marking the 99th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children’s Day on Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex premises.
The government has taken decision to observe the 100th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Mujib Year from March 17, 2020, to March 17, 2021. Like previous years, elaborate programmes have also been taken to celebrate the day at Tungipara. public hospitals, clinics and healthcare services organisations would provide free of cost treatment at its outdoor wards from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on the day. Quality foods will be supplied to all hospitals. Illumination will be ensured at the child wards. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) has chalked out elaborate programmes including free of cost treatment, floral wreaths on Bangabandhu’s portrait, blood donation and doa mahfil on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s birthday. Specialist physicians of the BSMMU would also provide free of cost treatment at its outdoor wards from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on the day.
> Alma Siddiqua
