Prime minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the 46th anniversary of his martyrdom and the National Mourning Day on Sunday. The prime minister paid homage to the Architect of the Independence by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32. Read:Nation observing Bangabandhu’s anniversary of martyrdom in a somber mood After placing wreaths, the prime minister stood in solemn silence there for some time showing respect to the great leader and the great architect of Bangladesh’s independence.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said Begum Mujib was not only Bangabandhu's wife, but she was also the father of the nation’s  lifelong co-fighter. He said this while addressing a press briefing after paying homage to Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib at Banani graveyard on the occasion of her 91st birth anniversary this morning. He paid the tribute first on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and then for the Awami League, along with its central leaders. Read: Five women receive 'Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Award' Quader said Begum Mujib had given inspiration, strength and courage to Bangabandhu during crisis and struggle from behind the scenes.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday wondered why the August-15 carnage was carried out in cold blood and what the crimes of her father Bangabandhu, mother Bangamata and brothers were! “One question always crosses my mind -- what actually had driven the killers to stage these killings, what were the crimes of my father, mother and brothers?” she questioned while addressing a programme arranged marking the 91th birth anniversary of Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib. Read:Bangabandhu: Bangladesh’s liberator as proclaimer of independence The theme of the day this year is ‘Bangamata: a fearless companion in the crisis and struggle’. The prime minister joined the virtual programme from her official residence Ganobhaban, while other participants got connected from the Osmani Memorial Auditorium and Deputy Commissioner’s Office of Gopalganj. She said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib and her brothers sacrificed their lives for peace and happiness and the independence and economic freedom of the nation. “But that Bangalees killed him, murdered him --why?” she said in an emotion-choked voice. Hasina, the elder daughter of Bangabandhu and Bangamata, recalled that Bangamata contributed a lot towards advancing the struggle of independence with patience, courage and right and timely decisions and implementing those. “My mother contributed a lot to every movement.” She also said Bangamata encouraged Bangabandhu throughout her life enabling him to devote himself to work for the country and the nation. Mentioning that Bangamata always believed that every woman should receive education and attain financial solvency, the prime minister said, “She thought that only shouting for rights wouldn’t bring anything for the womenfolk. For attaining the rights, all women should take education and get economic emancipation to stand on their own feet…she had felt that very well.” Hasina said Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib ignored her personal desires and demands in many ways to create a scope for Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to devotedly work for the country. Bangamata had no personal demand and never annoyed Bangabandhu with family matters.” Read: Five women receive 'Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Award' Recalling the role of Bangamata in the country’s independence, she said Bangamata had taken the right decisions in various critical times in politics. “When a matter of taking a tough decision came up in politics on various occasions, it’s very sad to say many of our senior and experienced leaders had failed to take the right decisions or about to take wrong decisions. My mother had taken the right decisions at the right time. Alongside dealing with family affairs, Bangamata used to take care of the families of the detained and ailing leaders, and arranged their treatment,” she said.