Mujibnagar Day was observed at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Monday in a befitting manner, recalling the historic ceremonial oath-taking of the first government of independent Bangladesh on April 17 in 1971.

The day's programs commenced with placing of a floral wreath by Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Corner of the embassy.

Officials and employees of the mission were present during the time.

Later, the messages issued on the occasion by President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read out by Defense Attaché Brigadier General Md Shahedul Islam and First Secretary Md Ataur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Auditorium.

Afterwards, a documentary, titled “Mujibnagar: The First Capital of Bangladesh”, was screened which was followed by a discussion highlighting the significance of the day.

Taking part in the discussion, Ambassador Imran paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and four national leaders -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman -- who successfully led the nation’s nine-month war of independence in absence of Bangabandhu.

The ambassador described Mujibnagar Day as a glorious and memorable day in the country's history, and Mujibnagar as a symbol of heroics of the nation.

On this day in 1971, the first provisional government of independent Bangladesh ceremonially took oath at a mango orchard at Baidyanathtala, later named Mujibnagar, in the then Meherpur sub-division, he noted.

Ambassador Imran also said the first provisional government performed their responsibilities with utmost devotion, efficiency and sincerity in leading the War of Liberation and mobilizing international opinion in favour of independent Bangladesh.

He urged all to work together to build a hunger-and-poverty-free developed and prosperous “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal) and “Smart Bangladesh” being imbued with the spirit of the great War of Liberation and ideology of Bangabandhu.

Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain also took part in the discussion and highlighted the significance of the historic day.

The day's programs ended with offering special prayers seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of the Father of the Nation, the four national leaders, and three million martyrs of the Liberation War as well as continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. Counsellor (Political-III) Shamima Yeasmin Smrite conducted the programs.