DHAKA, Oct 19, 2023 (BSS) – Prime Minister’s International Relation Affairs Adviser Professor Dr Gowher Rizvi said that had  Sheikh Russel alive, Bangladesh and its people would have got now a visionary, prudent and strong leadership.

“Upholding the memories of Sheikh Russel, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government has been implementing various initiatives and projects for the protection and welfare of children in Bangladesh with a great success,” he said. 

Dr Rizvi made the remarks at a memorial event on Sheikh Russel in London to mark the Sheikh Russel Day-2023 with Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem in the chair. 

At the event, he recalled eventful memories of Sheikh Russel with his (Sheikh Russel) father- Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-  and sister - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh High Commission in London organized the programme in Bangalee-dominant East London with the theme 'Sheikh Russel Diptimoy, Nirvik Nirmal Durjoy (Luminous Sheikh Russel, courageous, pellucid and indomitable)' on Wednesday, coinciding with Sheikh Russel’s 60th birthday.

In her speech, Saida Muna Tasneem said the brutal killing of ten-year-old Sheikh Russel is a clear violation of all international human rights laws, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and a punishable crime.

She expressed empathy for the oppressed children in different countries across the world including Palestine and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families of the children killed in war situations. 

The high commissioner strongly demanded an end to the torture on and killing innocent children across the world.

Tasneem asked the British-Bangladeshi youth to speak out against child and adolescent abuse worldwide.

One of the organizers of Bangladesh’s Liberation War Sultan Mahmud Sharif, valiant freedom fighter Mahmud Hasan MBE and founding President of Sheikh Russel Memorial Association, UK, Abdul Ahad Chowdhury spoke at the event, among others. 
At the onset of the programme, the high commissioner along with guests and senior officials of the High Commission paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu and his youngest son Sheikh Russel by placing floral wreaths on their portraits.

Later, a special munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Sheikh Russel and martyred family members of Bangabandhu.

At the programme, a documentary was screened on the life of Sheikh Russel while famous TV presenter and music artiste of Bangladesh Nabanita Chowdhury, noted music artiste Hasan Tariq, British-Bangladeshi renowned artiste Gauri Chowdhury and British-Bangladeshi dance artiste Soumi Chowdhury and her team and children, and children of British-Bangladeshis and officials of High Commission performed in a cultural programme, dedicating to Sheikh Russel.

Bangabandhu’s youngest son Sheikh Russel was born on October 18 in 1964 at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi road number 32 in the capital.

But, he was assassinated along with his family members in a domestic and foreign conspiracy on the night of 15 August, 1975 when he was a student of class four at University Laboratory School.