Bss, Dhaka

The birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib will be observed today.

Begum Fazilatunnessa, wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mother of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, embraced martyrdom along with Bangabandhu and other family members on August 15 in 1975.

Fazilatunnesa, who struggled for an independent Bangladesh alongside Bangabandhu, was born in Tungipara village of Gopalganj on August 8, 1930.The Women and Children Affairs Ministry has taken elaborate programmes to observe Bangamata’s birth anniversary nationally. The theme of the day this year is “Bangamata is a courageous symbol of sacrifice and beauty”.

The prime minister is expected to join the celebration on virtual platform from Gono Bhaban as chief guest.

Marking the birthday, the ministry will distribute sewing machines and money through mobile banking to the distressed women who have been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 3,200 sewing machines will be distributed and 1,300 women will get Tk 2,000 each. At the same time, 100 laptops will be given to poor and meritorious students in Goplaganj.