Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday visited the Gandhi Ashram in Noakhali and paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 75th death anniversary. The Ashram commemorates Bapu’s “Peace Mission” to Noakhali in 1946 and his message of non-violence and communal harmony. The High Commissioner also participated in a discussion titled “The Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the Contemporary World” organized by the Gandhi Ashram Trust. Members of the trust, local political leaders, representatives of local administration as well as civil society and academia joined the interaction. High Commissioner Verma underlined the guiding light of Gandhiji’s philosophy of truth, humanism and non-violence in showing them the path to deal with today’s global menace of extremism and terrorism. He also emphasised Gandhi’s belief in harmony with nature, his determination for the empowerment of the poorest and his message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” that inspires the motto of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” adopted by India for its G20 Presidency.  

BNP on Thursday paid its last respects to the party's vice-chairman and former deputy prime minister Shah Moazzem Hossain by placing wreaths on his coffin. Moazzem’s coffin was taken to BNP's Nayapaltan central office around 11:30 am and kept on a stage, enabling party leaders and activists to have a last glimpse of the deceased, who passed away on Wednesday night. On behalf of BNP, its standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Nazrul Islam Khan, placed wreaths on the coffin of the veteran leader and draped it with a party flag as a mark of respect. Earlier, his first Namaz-e-janaza was held in front of the BNP office participated by several hundred party leaders and activists. In a brief address prior to the janaza, Khandaker Mosharraf recalled Shah Moazzem’s role in different movements and in the country’s Liberation War. “We really need a fearless leader like Shah Moazzem as we’re on a movement for the restoration of democracy. But he has left us for eternity." He said they will keep Moazzem alive among people by carrying out a successful movement following the history of the movements and struggles throughout his life. Read: BNP Vice-Chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain passes away "I pay homage to the memory of the deceased and pray for the salvation of his departed soul . I also convey my sympathy to the bereaved family members,” Mosharraf said. After the janaza, Moazzem’s body was taken to Munshiganj’s Sri Nagar where his second janaza will be held. He will be buried at Banani graveyard in the capital after his third and final janaza on the premises of Azad Mosque in Gulshan in the capital. Shah Moazzem passed on Wednesday night at his Gulshan residence at the age of 83. BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed shock at the death. Boron on January 10, 1939, at Dogachi village in Munshiganj, Shah Moazzem Hossain was active in politics from his student life. He spent almost 18 years in jail between 1952 and 1970 due to his participation in the Language Movement and different other struggles for the liberation of the country. He served as the Chief Whip of the first parliament of independent Bangladesh and later joined the cabinet of Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed as a minister in 1975. Later, he joined Jatiya Party during the rule of HM Ershad and was made the secretary general of the party and a deputy prime minister of the country. Moazzem joined BNP in 2006 and served the party until his death.

As the air fills with the sadness of the song "Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February," the nation will pay deep respects to the martyrs of the Language Movement Monday, marking "Amar Ekushey," Shaheed Dibash (Martyrs' Day) and International Mother Language Day. Seventy years ago, the Language Movement was aimed at establishing the right of the mother tongue as well as protecting self-identity, culture and heritage. It inspired the nation to a great extent to achieve the right to self-determination and struggle for freedom and the Liberation War. With wreaths and flowers, people from all walks of life will pay tributes to the heroes of the Language Movement of 1952, who laid down their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as the state language of then Pakistan, at the Central Shaheed Minar. Also read: 21st February: DU to pay glowing tributes to Language Movement heroes

Remembering eminent singer Lata Mangeshkar, respectfully revered by music lovers around the world as the 'Goddess of music' who passed away on Sunday at the age of 92, noted celebrities in Bangladesh have written down emotional tributes on their social media handles throughout Sunday. Shakib Khan, Dhallywood’s most celebrated superstar in recent years, wrote on a Facebook post from his verified page pouring his heartfelt respect to the legend. "She was a total legend in her singing. It’s so sad she’s gone but her voice and music shall live on in the hearts and souls of many! #RIP #LataMangeshkar," Khan wrote. Legendary actress and Member of Parliament Subarna Mostafa wrote, "The nightingale is no more… Rest in peace Lata Mangeshkar … You have filled the hearts of millions with your music. You will remain with us forever.. Deepest Respect and Love." Read: Hasina mourns Lata Mangeshkar’s sad demise Iconic singer Kumar Bishwajit wrote on his verified Facebook page: “There is only one Lata Mangeshkar. Even though she physically left the earth today, she will remain immortal among us. We will be forever indebted to her majestic voice. May peace be upon her soul." Singer-journalist Elita Karim wrote: "A sad day for millions around the world. As Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and music leaves for her abode, she does not leave behind the queen. #LataMangeshkar breathed her last a while ago, at the age of 92. The nightingale who has been inspiring generations of singers is finally at peace. Thank you for your music. You will live forever in our hearts." Celebrated singer Ankhi Alamgir shared a picture with the late-great singer alongside her step-mother and legendary singer Runa Laila on her Facebook profile, taken in Lata jee’s famous residence Prabhu Kunj in Mumbai on March 27, 2017. “Respect. Feeling cold, numb,” Aankhi Alamgir wrote her instant reaction upon hearing the news of the great singer’s demise.  Popular actor Ziaul Faruq Apurba wrote, “This is the end of an era. Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passes away at the age of 92. RIP.”  Chanchal Chowdhury, one of the most beloved cultural personalities in the country, referred to the singer as the ‘Goddess of music’. Expressing his immense respect towards the legend, he wrote: "Adios, dear 'Goddess of music’ Lata Mangeshkar." Read: The day the music died in India Reminiscing his fond memory as a listener, ‘Indalo’ frontman and actor Jon Kabir wrote: "Rest well. Your voice woke me up so many times in the morning when I was a kid, all credit goes to my mom." Apart from these celebrities, a great number of music artists from different genres, film and television actors-directors and people from all walks of life have been expressing their utmost condolence and sharing fond memories of the legendary singer since receiving the news of her departure on Sunday morning.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday paid rich tributes to Awami League Advisory Council member and former state minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Advocate Rahmat Ali who passed away in the morning.

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The newly-elected Bangladesh Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) and Advisory Council, led by AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his mazar here.