Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka
The 25th death anniversary of Bangabir General Mohammad Ataul Gani Osmani will be observed today with due respect.
General Osmani, the commander-in-chief of the liberation forces in 1971, died on February 16, 1984 at a London hospital.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and the leader of the opposition in parliament, Khaleda Zia, issued separate messages on the eve of the day while different political and socio-cultural and organisations have chalked up elaborate programmes to mark the day.
In her message, the prime minister expressed her profound respect for Osmani and said the freedom fighters achieved immense success in the war field under his leadership during the War of Independence.
Osmani joined the war responding to the call of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and was appointed commander-in-chief of the War of Independence, she recalled and said Osmani conducted the war with efficiency and pragmatism.
The prime minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of General Osmani.
The opposition leader, in her massage, also expressed her deep respect to General Osmani and prayed for eternal peace of his departed soul.
She said Osmani was a real democrat. His role in favour of democracy would remain written in golden letters in the history of the country, she added.
Osmani was born at Dayamari village in greater Sylhet district on November 1, 1918. He joined then British India Military Academy in 1939 and was commissioned in 1940. He was promoted to the major rank in 1942.
After separation of India in 1947, he joined Pakistan Army and retired as colonel in 1956. Osmani was elected member of Pakistan national assembly from Awami League in 1970.
Osmani was promoted to the post of general in the Bangladesh Army on December 26, 1971. After retiring from army in 1972, he joined the cabinet of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as inland water and civil aviation minister and later as post and telecommunications, and shipping minister.
Bangabir Osmani Smriti Parishad will place wreath and offer fateha at the grave of General Osmani in Sylhet at 10:00am today.
It will also hold a discussion at Osmani Memorial Hall on the occasion at 3:30pm today, said a press release.
Courtesy: newagebd.com
