The 51st death anniversary of the champion of democracy and one of the greatest leaders of undivided India Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy is being observed across the country today.
The unparallel leader in all Indian politics, who dedicated his whole life to ensuring welfare of the people by upholding democracy above everything, died at a Beirut hotel in Lebanon on this day in 1963. He was alone in the hotel suite at the time of his death.
Different political and social organisations including the ruling party have chalked out various programmes to observe the day.
The programmes include placing wreaths at grave of the great leader at 8am, discussion meetings, Quran khwani, milad and doa mahfil.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound respect to the memory of Suhrawardy on the occasion of his death anniversary.
In separate messages, the President and the Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of Suhrawardy, terming him as champion of democracy.
President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy was an illustrious name in the history of democracy in Bangladesh.
The nation recalls with respect the contribution of Suhrawardy to establishing and flourishing democracy as well as in socio-economic development of the people of this region.
"I believe, his lifestyle and works will inspire the young generation in democratic thinking and spirit," he said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Suhrawardy worked throughout his life for establishing democratic rights of the people and flourishing non-communal politics.
He was vociferous in the struggle for socio-economic development of the Muslims in the subcontinent and upholding their political rights, she added.
The PM said the Awami League had flourished further under the efficient leadership of Suhrawardy.
Under the leadership of his successor, the greatest Bangalee of all time Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country achieved its independence, she recalled.
"The life and ideal of this great leader will inspire us in advancing democracy and in overcoming political crisis," she said.
Suhrawardy was a Bengali politician and statesman in the first half of the 20th-century. He served as the premier of Bengal in British India and was the fifth prime minister of Pakistan.
