Bangladesh today paid glowing tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founding father, who was killed in a coup in 1975.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes by laying wreaths on his mural in front of the Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi in the capital.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Chief Justice M Muzammel Hossain, political leaders and senior government officials attended the ceremony.
A smartly turned-out contingent of the Armed Forces gave a state salute to the Father of the Nation.
Apart from the government ceremonies, the ruling Awami League held elaborate programmes to mark the day.
Hasina, also the Awami League president, paid tributes to her father on her party's behalf.
Mujib, along with most of his family members, was killed in a predawn raid on August 15 by a group of rogue army officers.
His daughters -- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -- survived the attack as they were abroad while the rest of the family including his 10-year-old son Sheikh Russel were killed as the assassins went on a killing spree.
Three months later, the same group who led the coup killed four detained leaders of Bangladesh's independence and Mujib's top aides in Dhaka Central Jail.
National flags were kept at half-mast across the country today, while the government declared it a public holiday as part of nationwide mourning.
