The nation observes the 92nd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the

National Children's Day today.

The government, ruling Awami League (AL), various socio-cultural and political organisations have planned elaborate programmes to mark the day.

Paying rich tributes to Bangabandhu, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the president of AL, gave separate messages on the occasion.

Both the president and prime minister will visit Tungipara, the birthplace of Bangabandhu, this morning, and will place wreaths and offer special prayers at his mazar there.

The premier will address a children's rally on the mazar premises, open a library and distribute sewing machines among the distressed.

After returning from Uingipara, the president will inaugurate the National Children's Day programme to be arranged by Bangabandhu Shishu Kishore Mela at Bangabhaban at 12:00 noon.

The ruling AL will hoist the national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital and party offices across the country at 6:30 am, place wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7:00am.

A discussion on the life of Bangabandhu will be held tomorrow at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital at 3:30pm where the AL chief will address as the chief guest.

Besides playing the recorded historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu throughout the day, special prayers and milad mahfil seeking peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members, will be held across the country.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV and radio stations will air special programmes, while national dailies will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

On this day in 1920,

Bangabandhu was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj. He led all the important movements including the language and independence movements in the country.

The Father of the Nation delivered his historic speech to unite and prepare the whole nation for the Liberation War on this day in 1971.

On March 25 the same year, Pakistani army pounced on the unarmed Bengali people killing hundreds and arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence.

Prior to the arrest, Sheikh Mujib declared independence of the country. The entire nation, except few collaborators of Pakistani forces, fought unitedly against the Pakistan army, and after nine months of bloodshed the country was liberated.

Throughout his life, the Father of the Nation struggled for the rights and freedom of the people of Bangladesh.