DHAKA, Jan 10, 2024 (BSS) - The historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all time, was observed today across the country amid different programmes.

Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the nation and supreme commander of the country's Liberation War, returned to the sacred soil of independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi on January 10 in 1972, after 290 days of confinement in Pakistan jail.

Since then, the nation is observing the day as the Homecoming Day of the Father of the Nation.

The ruling Awami League began its programmes with hoisting of the national and party flags at its central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices across the country in the dawn.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his historic Homecoming Day.
 
She paid homage to the great leader by placing a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi here at 8.30am.

Bangabandhu's younger daughter and prime minister's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present at that time.

After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh's independence.

Flanked by central leaders of Bangladesh Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.

AL advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu, general secretary Obaidul Quader, presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, joint general secretaries-information and broadcasting minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, AFM Bahauddin Nasim and education minister Dr Dipu Moni, Organising Secretaries Ahmed Hossain, Afjal Hossain and Mirza Azam were present.

After laying the wreaths, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader told journalists that the country's victory became complete after Bangabandhu's return to home.

Besides, leaders and workers of Dhaka City AL North and South, Awami Jubo League, Bangladesh Krishak League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League, Jatiya Sramik League, Bangladesh Chhatra League and other organizations paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths.

AL organized a public rally at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital at 2.30pm.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the rally.

Obaidul Quader delivered the welcome address.

Our Gopalganj Correspondent Adds: On behalf of the Prime Minister, AL's Gopalganj district unit president Mahbub Ali Khan laid wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu in Tungipara at 10am.

AL's Gopalganj district and Tungipara upazila units and different organizations also laid wreaths at the mausoleum.

Later, fateha was offered seeking eternal peace of the souls of Bangabandhu and all other martyrs of August 15, 1975 and martyrs of the great Liberation War.

Prime minister's sound health, long life and success were also wished on the occasion.