Dhaka: The nation to observe the historic Mujibnagar Day on Tuesday to recall the history as on this day in 1971 the nation witnessed the oath-taking of the country’s first government.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages, marking the day.

In his message President Abdul Hamid said under the leadership of the exile Mujibnagar government, the country had achieved the great independence through a nine-month armed struggle on December 16 in 1971.

Due to constitution of the exile Mujibnagar government, he said, the world nation had extended their support and cooperation to the armed Bangalee nation who struggled for independence.

The President expected that the present generation would be able to know the real history of the Liberation War through observing the historic Mujibnagar Day.

The first government of the independent Bangladesh had taken oath at Boidhyanathtala in Meherpur along with endorsed the proclamation of the independence, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message, adding that the historic place was recognised as Mujibnagar from that day.

Marking the day, various programmes have been taken in Dhaka and Mujibnagar. The programmes include hoisting of national and party flags at all the district offices, central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban at 6:00am on that day, placing floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7:00am.

In Mujibnagar, floral wreaths will be placed at Mujibnagar memorial monument at 10:00am while guard of honour will be given at 10:15am.

Mujibnagar day rally will be held at Sheikh Hasina Manch of Mujibnagar in Meherpur at 10:30am. Awami League presidium member and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasima will preside over the meeting while Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu will speak at the meeting as the chief guest.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Awami League Joint- General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif, MP, Joint-General Secretary Abdur Rahman, MP, its Khulna Divisional Organising Secretary Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan, MP, and Meherpur district Awami League president Prof Farhad Hossain, MP, among others, will be present at the meeting.

Besides, Awami League Dhaka North and South units will jointly organise a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader will attend the meeting as the chief guest.

After formation of the exile government on April 10 in 1971, political advisor to the Prime Minister HT Imam said: ‘Prime Minister of the then exile government Tazuddin Ahamed gave an address on the Swadin Bangla Beter Kendra on April 11 and April 17 was fixed for taking oath of the first government of the country.’

On April 17, 47 years back, the tiny mango grove-covered village in Baidyanathtala witnessed the ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh and millions of freedom loving people listened to the announcement of the formation of the government over radio.