Staff Reporter: The homecoming day of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of independent Bangladesh will be celebrated in a befitting manner on Sunday (January 10).This day has extra significance this year because it coincides with the Birth Centenary Celebration of this great leader.

After nine and a half month's imprisonment in Pakistani jail, Bangabandhu set foot on the soil of a newly liberated and soverign country, Bangladesh on January 10, 1972 at 1:41 pm. With his return, the victory of Bangladesh was fulfilled. Since then, the day of Bangabandhu's return has been celebrated as the historic Homecoming Day.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have given separate messages marking the day. Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader also gave a message.

After the final victory on 16 December, the Bengali nation was eagerly waiting to give a hearty welcome to Bangabandhu. After 290 day's confinement in condemned cell Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned to the sacred soil of a free and independent country via London and Delhi .

Bangabandhu was arrested on 25 th March 1971 and the following day he was sent to a Jail in Pakistan. there he was subject to inhuman torture. A farcical trial was conducted and he was sentenced to death. "Everyday he was counting his days as he he could be executed at any moment."I was a prisoner in the condemned cell awaiting hanging. From the day I went into jail, I didn't know whether I was to live or not. I was mentally ready to die. But I knew Bangladesh would be liberated,"

After Bangabandhu was released on January 8, 1972, he wished to fly back to Dhaka immidiately. After a brief stopover Delhi where he thanked Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi and the people of india for their assistance during the nine months of liberation war. On reaching the capital's Tejgaon airport in the afternoon on January 10, Bangabandhu was greeted by tens of thousands of jubilant people.Over 500,000 people lined up on the road from the airport to Shahbagh to welcome their leader home, who had been eagerly waiting to see their beloved leader since the final victory on December 16 in 1971.

From airport, Bangabandhu was moved to the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) where he addressed a reception accorded to him by the cheerful countrymen. He spoke in the presence of about 1 million people at the Racecourse Maidan. With reverence, he remembers the sacrifices of all, outlining the principles upon which Bangladesh would function as a sovereign state, inspiring everyone to build the country. At that time tears of joy and sorrow rolled from his eyes.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said, "As long as Bangladesh and Bengalis exist, Bangabandhu will be a source of inspiration for all. Although the final victory was achieved through armed struggle on 16 December 1971, the victory was completed with the return of the father of the nation."

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "On this auspicious occasion of Father of the Nation's Homecoming Day, let us pledge that we will uphold the freedom the honor of 3 million martyrs and 200,000 tortured mothers and sisters.InshaAllah, we will unite to implement the dream of building a non-communal, hunger-free and developed-prosperous golden Bangladesh that the Father of the Nation dreamed of."

Various organizations including rulling Awami League have arranged various programs to observe the historic day.

The program of the Awami League includes: hoisting of national and party flags at the central office of the organization, Bangabandhu Bhaban and all the offices of the organization at 8.30 am. All members ofthe party will place wreaths to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at 9:00 am.

A limited discussion meeting of Bangladesh Awami League will be held at 3:30 pm at the central office at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue. Bangladesh Awami League President Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address the discussion through video conferencing fron her office..

However, all the programs marking the day will be observed maintaing health guidelines.