BNP celebrates Zia’s birthday today
Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its associate bodies will celebrate the 81st birth anniversary of the party founder and late president Ziaur Rahman across the country today.
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogra, Zia had become the country’s 7th president and formed Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 1978.
BNP has taken up various programmes to observe the day.
The programmes include hoisting the party flag atop its offices, placing wreaths and holding a prayer session at Zia’s graveside and arranging discussion and other programmes.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the widow of the party founder, along with its leaders and activists will place wreaths on Zia’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital around 10:00am.
Doctors’ Association Bangladesh will arrange a free medical camp at the ground floor of BNP central office in Naya Paltan from 9:00am to 3:00pm today.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also issued a message on the occasion paying homage to the late Zia.
During the country’s War of Independence in 1971, Zia was initially a sector commander and later as brigade commander commanded the Z-Force. Zia was decorated with the second highest gallantry award of Bir Uttam.
His proclamation from Kalurghat radio station in Chiittagong on March 27, two days after the Pakistan army’s crackdown on unarmed Bengalis on the night of March 25, 1971, made Zia a household name throughout Bangladesh.
A military officer, he had also served as the chief of staff of Bangladesh Army as a three-star general.
He rose to power on November 7, 1975 following the coup of mid-August and the counter-coup of November 3.
In April 1977, he became president after Justice ASM Sayem, who had been installed in office by General Khaled Musharraf on November 6, 1975.
Zia was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on the night of May 30, 1981.
- See more at: http://www.newagebd.net/article/7292/bnp-celebrates-zias-birthday-today#sthash.J6CgULRO.dpuf
