Dhaka: The 37^th homecoming day of Awami League President and now Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be observed on Thursday.

On May 17 in 1981, she returned after a long exile.

‘I have come to stay beside the people of Bangladesh. I have taken part in the struggle for freedom. I have not come to be the leader of Awami League. I want to stay beside you as your sister, as your daughter, and as a worker of Awami League, who believes in the ideals of Bangabandhu,’ she told a huge mass at Manik Mia avenue on the day.

These were the first public remarks of Sheikh Hasina on her return home.

President Abdul Hamid in a message on the occasion said she has immense contribution to the development, progress and flourishing of democracy in Bangladesh.

The country, he said, is moving ahead because of her farsighted and strong leadership and people-oriented activities. He said Sheikh Hasina has taken ‘Vision 2021’ and ‘Vision 2041’ programmes to turn the country into a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla.

He said the programmes taken by Sheikh Hasina for development of the country and establishing democracy will remain everlasting in the history of Bangladesh.

President Abdul Hamid wished her and her family members long life, prosperity and continuous success of her government.

He described the launching of country’s first satellite Bangabandhu-I as milestone progress of the present government.

Around 15 people had gathered outside the Kurmitola Airport in Dhaka to receive her. They had come from every corner of the country and the whole thoroughfare from the Farm Gate point to Kurmitola in the city was full of jubilant crowd.

Earlier, Awami League in its February 14-16 council meeting in 1981 elected Sheikh Hasina as the president of the party.

After a long hovering over the airport, an aircraft of Indian Airline carrying Sheikh Hasina from New Delhi via Kolkata, touched the runway at 4:30 pm.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members was brutally killed on August 15, 1975. Luckily his daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, were in Germany then, and thus became the survivors.

Wishing Sheikh Hasina long life and good health, AL General Secretary and Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, in a statement, said she has made huge contribution to development and well-being of the country.

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) will hold a discussion tomorrow at the Krishibid Institution of Bangladesh (KIB) with AL Presidium Member and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair.

Awami League, Awami Juba League, Chhatra League and other associate bodies of AL have chalked out elaborate programme marking the day.