With due respect and solemnity, Notre Dame University Bangladesh commemorated the 46th martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and national mourning day on Monday, 16th August 2021, at the University’s open square. Because of COVID-19 restrictive measures, a limited number of students, teachers, administrative officers, and staff could participate in the program. Others could join this program live on NDUB’s official Facebook page.
The program commenced with hoisting the national flag by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Fr. Patrick Daniel Gaffney, CSC, and Registrar Fr. Adam S. Pereira, CSC During this time, the national anthem was sung. Then the VC and Registrar lit the lamps and paid their homage by placing floral wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation. Everyone spent a minute in silence, offering a special prayer for the souls of the martyrs who were killed on 15th August 1975.
In his reflection on the day, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Fr. Patrick Daniel Gaffney, C.S.C. said, “Bangabandhu was a world-class leader. All his life, he stood by the oppressed, the destitute, and the people in despair. Sheikh Mujib never compromised with injustice and oppression done to the people. Bangladeshis shall remember his outstanding contribution with deep respect and devotion for generations to come. The VC, in his speech, also prayed for the peace of the souls of all the martyrs.
On this occasion, the Public Relations Office of NDUB organized a special documentary on Bangabandhu. In his speech, the Deputy Controller of examinations Fr. Boniface Tolentino, CSC, said that the assassination of Sheikh Mujib brought a curse upon the Bengali as a nation. He regretted saying; we have taken to the streets during many movements in the past. However, no one dared to march the streets protesting the murder of the Father of the nation. It is the greed for power of a section of miscreants that led to the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” He, too, in his speech, prayed for the eternal peace of the martyred souls. In their speeches, Professor Tahsin Khan and NDUB librarian Saifur Rahman called upon the younger generation to inculcate and be inspired by the ideals of Bangabandhu to build a secular Bangladesh.
With the help of the Public Relations Office, The VC communicated his special message on the day to all the students, teachers, administrative officers, and staff of NDUB via SMS.
There were recitations of poems and musical performances in memory of Bangabandhu. The event ended with the registrar offering a vote of thanks.
