Observance of the National Mourning Day
Bangladesh High Commission, Canberra | Press Release | (17 August 2011)
Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra observed the National Mourning Day on 15 August 2011 at the High Commission with due solemnity to pay the tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who embraced martyrdom along with members of his family on this very day in 1975.
In the morning the National Flag was flown half mast by H.E. the High Commissioner Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury, where officials of the High Commission were also present. In the afternoon, on the occasion of the 36th Death Anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day a discussion meeting on the significance of the day was held at the Conference Room of the Mission presided over by H.E. the High Commissioner. Hon‟ble Laurie Ferguson MP, Federal Member of Parliament for Werriwa (NSW) and Chair of the Australia – Bangladesh Parliamentary Group was present as the Guest of Honour on the occasion. This is for the first time a Federal MP was present at the National Mourning Day programme organized by the High Commission. Moreover, members of Bangladesh Community living in Canberra including President of Bangladesh Australia Association Canberra (BAAC) Mr Khondoker Yusuf were also present at the programme. Before the discussion meeting a special prayer was offered for the salvation and peace of the souls of Bangabandhu and his family members. A special supplementary was also published by the High Commission on the occasion of the National Mourning Day 2011.
At the beginning of the meeting, the messages given on the day from Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon‟ble Foreign Minister of Bangladesh were read out. It was followed by the screening of a documentary titled “Bangabandhu – Forever in Our Hearts” on Life and achievements of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In the discussion meeting, many members of the expatriate Bangladesh community took part where they paid tribute and homage to the Father of the Nation as well as prayed for the peace and salvation of the souls who were brutally murdered on the day in 1975. They highlighted the rare leadership qualities and political magnanimity of Bangabandhu who led the Liberation War of Bangladesh. They also praised the statesmanship of Bangabandhu for his dedication for the development and well being of the country and its people. Bangladesh achieved her independence due to the supreme sacrifice of the people under the leadership of the Father of the Nation after a nine month long struggle, the speakers commented. Bangabandhu is different from other politicians and he is the Father of the Nation in all sense because he could give birth of a country where the others couldn‟t, the speaker added. Hon‟ble Laurie Ferguson MP mentioned that “regardless of whether this is (15 August) recognised as a Mourning Day in Bangladesh in the future, it will be recognised internationally”.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established identity of a nation and he will be recognized internationally for his seminal role in Bangladesh‟s independence, he added. Hon‟ble Ferguson also commented that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with members of his family and some other leaders were assassinated to eliminate future leadership of Bangladesh.
In the concluding address H.E. the High Commissioner Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury paid tribute to the Father of the Nation as well as prayed for the salvation of the souls of Bangabandhu and members of his family, relatives and those who were killed along with him. He also payed tribute to all martyrs who contributed to the independence of Bangladesh. He mentioned that Bangabandhu united the whole country and prepared it for 1971. We got Bangladesh and a Flag in 1971 due to the charismatic leadership of Bangabandhu, he added.
Bangabandhu showed his magnanimity and courage to govern the war ravaged country for three years and eight months only towards further progress which was stopped by the brutal assassination in 1975, he pointed out. The High Commissioner also mentioned that due to Bangabandhu‟s enigmatic leadership Indian Army went back in such a short notice which is rare in the world history. He also expressed that everyone would work unitedly from their respective positions to build „Sonar Bangla‟ as envisioned by the Father of the Nation.
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