DHAKA: The nation is observing the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Saturday commemorating the murders of the country`s golden sons and daughters on this day in 1971 just before the ultimate victory on December 16 after nine-month war with the Pakistani occupation forces.

The martyred intellectuals include Munir Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Gobinda Chandra Dev, Jyotirmoy Guha Thakurta, Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin.

After the hard-earned Independence, nation`s mourning on this day every year spirits up the young generation to sacrifice for the country.

Sensing their unavoidable defeat in the hands of the Bengalese, Pakistan soldiers and their local collaborators-Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams-abducted leading Bengali intellectuals and professionals and killed them to halt the movement of the nation.

Academics, writers, physicians, engineers, journalists and other eminent personalities were among the killed at Rayer Bazar and in other killing fields in the city only two days before the country`s liberation.

On the eve of Martyred Intellectuals Day, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Oppositions Begum Khaleda Zia issued messages paying their tributes to the martyred intellectuals and recalling their contribution towards the country.

Newspapers and news portals will publish special supplements while radio and television channels will air special programmes to commemorate the martyrs.

The day`s programmes will begin with the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast and black flags atop public and private buildings in the morning.

Alongside the official programmes, different political and socio- cultural organizations will observe the day in a befitting manner. The programmes include placing wreaths at the Rayer Bazar Martyred Intellectuals` Graveyard and Martyred Intellectuals` Memorial at Mirpur, discussion meetings, human chain and different cultural programmes.

First Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tajuddin Ahmed declared December 14 as the Martyred Intellectuals` Day.

BDST: 0215 HRS, DEC 14, 2013
Edited By: Shameem Reza, Newsroom Editor