Today (May 17) is the 43rd Homecoming Day of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

On this day in 1981, Sheikh Hasina returned home from India after nearly six years in exile following the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members by a group of disgruntled army officers on August 15, 1975.

Both the daughters of Bangabandhu - Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana - survived the carnage as they were in Germany at that time.

Dhaka turned into a city of processions on this day as people welcomed Sheikh Hasina, braving storms and heavy rain.

Then Kurmitola International Airport and Shere-E-Banglanagar turned into a human sea with tens of thousands of people from all walks of life waiting to welcome her.

Shouting the immortal slogan --Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu, people thronged the capital to have a glimpse of Sheikh Hasina who was elected Awami League president in her absence at the party’s national council session held on February 14-16 in 1981.

To mark Sheikh Hasina’s Homecoming Day, the ruling Awami League will hold various programmes.

A discussion will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital at 3:30pm with AL presidium member engineer Mosharraf Hossain in the chair.

Top leaders and noted intellectuals will take part in the discussion.

Besides, an AL delegation will exchange pleasantries with the premier at her official residence Ganabhaban at 11:00am.

Special doa and prayer sessions will be offered at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas on the occasion.

BDST: 1110 HRS, MAY 17, 2023
MN/SMS