The 59th birthday of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is on Tuesday.
Sheikh Russel, youngest sibling of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was born on October 18, 1964 at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road 32 in Dhaka. He was brutally killed along with most of his family members, including his father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on August 15, 1975, when he was a student of class four at University Laboratory School.
“Russel was a very jolly and playful boy, like other children of his age. He often didn't want to go back home from the school ground, as he was busy playing with his classmates, and had to be forcibly taken home by his uncle and family members,” said Gitanjali Barua, a classmate of Sheikh Russel who is now serving as principal of Government Azimpur School and College in Dhaka.
She was reminiscing on the days when they were both admitted to class 1 at University Laboratory School in 1971.
“Russel was the child of a great leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but he studied with us in a common school like a boy from an ordinary family. Even though he was not a class topper, his class roll number was above 40. In addition, Russel was a very kind-hearted friend to his classmates,” Gitanjali Barua said.
“You would never have been able to tell from his attitude that he was the son of the country’s president. He was not like some of the children of important people who are studying in exclusive schools these days,” she added
The Cabinet Division last year declared October 18, the birthday of Sheikh Russel, as Sheikh Russel Day under category "Ka".
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division has taken elaborate programs, including placing wreaths at Sheikh Russel's grave and portraits, launching the “Sheikh Russel Gold Medal”, quiz competition, laptop distribution and discussions, to observe the day.
A total of 10 people, including children with special needs, will be awarded the “Sheikh Russel Gold Medal” for their outstanding contributions in the fields of education, fine arts, literacy and culture, sports, science and technology, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak told a press briefing at Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) auditorium at ICT Tower in the city's Agargaon area on Sunday.
Besides, 20 laptops will be distributed among the gold medal awardees and winners of the quiz contest, while 4,000 laptops will be distributed across the country on the day, he said.
The Sheikh Russel Shishu Kishore Parishad will also distribute 60 awards to mark the day, Palak added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join the inaugural and award giving ceremony of Sheikh Russel Day virtually as the chief guest at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), the state minister said.
The ICT Division and the Sheikh Russel Shishu Kishore Parishad will jointly place wreaths at Sheikh Russel's grave at Banani Graveyard and at his portrait in front of the respective ministry, division, office, agency and institution in the morning.
The division will also organize a national seminar, titled "Sheikh Russel Deepta Joyullas (Sheikh Russel radiant joy, indomitable confidence)" at 3pm and a concert, titled "Concert for Peace and Justice" at 6pm at the BICC on the day.
Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq will join the concert as chief guest.
The Bangladesh Shishu Academy will organize a book exhibition on Bangabandhu and the Liberation War. Wreaths will be placed at the portrait of Bangabandhu before the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the morning while a children's film will be screened at the Shishu Academy Auditorium at noon.
A milad and doa mahfil will be organized at Shishu Academy Mosque at 1:45pm while a photo exhibition will be arranged at Sheikh Russel Gallery of the academy at 2pm.
To mark the day, the ruling Awami League will place wreaths at the graves of all martyrs, including Sheikh Russel, of the August 15 carnage in 1975 in the city's Banani graveyard in the morning. Subsequently fateha, milad and doa mahfil will also be held by the party members there.
A discussion will be held at 3:30pm at the AL central office in the city's Bangabandhu Avenue area. Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will preside over the discussion through videoconferencing.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, in a statement, urged party leaders, workers, supporters, and people from all walks of life to observe the birthday of Sheikh Russel while maintaining health rules.
He also called upon party units and their associate bodies across the country to observe the day through suitable programs.
The day also will be observed at Bangladesh missions abroad, while different dailies have published special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
