The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The nation will celebrate the historic Mujibnagar Day today commemorating the formation of Bangladesh's first government in exile at Baidyanathtola mango grove in Meherpur on this day in 1971.

The place was later renamed Mujibnagar in tribute to the country's independence hero, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was declared president and supreme commander of the armed forces at the time.

Syed Nazrul Islam was made acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu, who had been arrested by the Pakistani occupation forces on March 25, 1971.

Installation of the government began with a guard of honour led by a contingent of police. Syed Nazrul Islam took the salute and hoisted the national flag.

The Mujibnagar government with Tajuddin Ahmed as the prime minister led the country's nine-month liberation war that ended with the surrender of the occupation forces on December 16. Awami League has taken up programmes marking the historic day.

Party presidium members Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzaq and Suranjit Sengupta will visit Mujibnagar to join several programmes there. In Dhaka, the national and party flags will be hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi and also at the AL central office at Bangabandhu Avenue at 6:00am.

Party leaders will place a wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 8:00am. They will also pay tribute at the graves of Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and others at Banani graveyard.