United News of Bangladesh

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday extended his greetings to his mother Khaleda Zia and all mothers around the world on the occasion of Mother’s Day. “On this day, I pay deep respect to Begum Khaleda Zia, the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and a torchbearer of women’s education in our country,” Tarique wrote in a post on his verified Facebook page. Referring to his mother’s contributions, Tarique said her life has passed through relentless struggle, sacrifice and tireless efforts in development of the country’s democracy and building a progressive society as well as showing compassion and genuine love for people. Khaleda heading towards Heathrow Airport for homecoming “During BNP’s tenure under her leadership, women’s education saw remarkable progress. She undertook various initiatives to prevent girls from dropping out of school,” he added. Focusing on the significance of Mother’s Day, he said this is a day to honour the role and contribution of mothers in families and society. Though a child’s love for their mother is timeless, the love is expressed in a special way on this day, he said. “On this day, I express my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all mothers in Bangladesh and around the globe. I wish them continued happiness, peace, and prosperity,” Tarique wrote. Describing mother as a wonderful institution, he said a child’s future is shaped by the wisdom of a noble mother. Mothers ease the burdens of the day and shield their children even in times of hardship, he added. “The word ‘mother’ is the sweetest sound in the world, carrying the deepest affection, care, and the most selfless love,” Tarique said. He expressed hope that all mothers would be able to raise their children as capable and responsible citizens. If a good mother can guide her child on the right path, ensuring a brighter future for the nation, he said. Khaleda's elder son Tarique has been residing in London since 2008. His wife Khaleda Zia and Tarique wife Dr Zubaida Rahman returned to Bangladesh from London on May 6 last.         

After observing two back-to-back "no hugs" Mother's Day due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, mothers and their children in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the globe are finally celebrating the occasion on Sunday by expressing love and affection towards each other. The day was developed and commercialized in the US and followed by the rest of the world, and it has since been observed through special indoor and outdoor events focused on spreading the love for mothers across the globe. People in Bangladesh and around the world are celebrating the day today by presenting gifts to their mother as a norm of expressing love to them for always being there, authoring beautiful letters for their mother and making their mother's favourite meals on the jovial occasion. Those who live away had to make do with phone conversations and video chats, to minimize the distance by making phone calls and video calls and those who lost their mothers, pray for their departed souls on this day. Also read: 2022 Happy Mother’s Day: Five Athletes Who Make a Big Comeback After Becoming Mothers Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are being flooded with special messages and write-ups from ordinary people to celebrities, for their mothers. There are also a large number of people reminiscing about their mothers whom they have lost in recent times due to the pandemic in the last two years. Meanwhile, many fashion brands, gift shops, restaurants, food and grocery delivery services, and recreational services providers are offering special discounts and lucrative deals to let their consumers celebrate this special occasion with their mothers in person, after passing two years of COVID-19 restrictions. Generated from the idea that "Mother is the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world" - Anna Jarvis, an American woman activist campaigned and established the day during the first decade of 1900. Following her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis's death in 1905, Anna Jarvis conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honouring the sacrifices mothers made for their children. Also read: Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Best Presents for the Best Person You Know  In May 1908, she organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia in the United States. She also held a campaign and further activities to observe this day as a national holiday, and her persistence paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in the United States which has now been a globally acknowledged and established day, celebrated by billions around the world.

Mothers in any culture are cited as the source of unconditional love, and in honouring mothers, people honour all women. While some jobholders are getting to enjoy the comfort of home because of the global shutdown, mothers on the contrary are facing the heavier than usual workload.