Genocide Day is being observed across Bangladesh on Saturday in remembrance of the brutal killings carried out by Pakistani occupational forces on the innocent Bengalis on the black night of March 25, 1971.
In Rajshahi, local district administration chalked out elaborate programs, including placing of wreaths at Shaheed Minar and other shaheed memorial plaques and discussion meetings.
Bangladesh Shishu Academy and District Shilpakala Academy organized various competitions of essay and painting, patriotic song and recitation on genocide and the great Liberation War followed by cultural functions.
Bagha Upazila Parishad also arranged a discussion at its conference hall to mark the day. Upazila Chairman Advocate Layeb Uddin and Bagha Pourasava Mayor Akkash Ali spoke on the occasion.
The Rajshahi District Information Office screened documentary films at different points and road crossings. Special prayers were arranged at the city's mosques and different places of worship, seeking divine blessings for peace for the departed souls of the martyrs.
Local units of Bangladesh Awami League and its front organizations, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, district and upazila unit commands, Sector Commanders Forum, Rajshahi Press Club, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Science and Technology, Rajshahi Medical University and Rajshahi Medical College observed the day through different programs.
Besides, different educational institutions, political parties and socio-cultural organizations also observed the day through various programs, including discussions and paying rich tribute to the martyrs.
In Manikganj, the District Administration observed the day with various programs.
A discussion was held at Zilla Shilpakala Academy under the auspices of Manikganj district administration. A musical drama was also held at the Zilla Shilpakala Academy on this occasion.
Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Abdul Latif was present at the function as chief guest.
Special munajat was offered at different mosques after Zuhr prayers and other places of worship seeking eternal peace of the martyrs who were killed on March 25, 1971.
A discussion and dua mahfil was held at Manikganj Collectorate Jame Mosque under the joint auspices of Manikganj District Administration and local Islamic Foundation chaired by Md Harej Sinha, Deputy Director of the Islamic Foundation.
Lighting the candles and one minute blackout all over the district were also included in the programs of the day.
Besides, Manikganj District Awami League and District Jubo League observed the Genocide Day with their own programs.
In Rangamati, a discussion was held in the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office on Saturday morning at the initiative of the Rangamati district administration.
Apart from this, various programs were observed in 10 upazilas of the district on the occasion of the Genocide Day.
In Khulna, the District Administration and other socio-cultural organizations including Khulna city and district unit Awami League (AL) chalked out elaborate programs to observe the day.
Khulna district administration organized a discussion meeting at the auditorium of the Khulna deputy commissioner's office with Khulna DC Khondokar Yasir Arefin in the chair.
Marking the day, the Department of Divisional Information Office screened a film on Genocide and Liberation War in the city's Shaheed Hadis Park.
The city and district units of Awami League also organized a rally in the party office with city unit Awami League President Talukder Abdul Khaleque in the chair.
