DHAKA: The nation will observe the historic Mass Upsurge Day on Saturday to commemorate the valiant sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives during the movement in 1969 that culminated in the independence movement of the country.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the eve of the day.

This day in 1969, students and people waged a strong movement against the then Pakistani autocratic regime of Ayub Khan.

The movement then turned into a mass upsurge following the martyrdom of Motiur Rahman, a student of class (IX) of Nabakumar Institute in Dhaka.

Motiur was shot dead in a procession that was brought out in Dhaka in protest against the death of Asad by Pakistani police. Asad was an MA final-year student of the History Department at Dhaka University during the movement in 1969.

Since then, the day is being observed as Mass Upsurge Day in the country every year.

To mark the day, different socio-cultural organizations and political parties have chalked out elaborate programs.

The programs include placing floral wreath at the grave and portraits of Asad, Motiur and Rustom, holding of discussions on the lives of the martyrs and offering Fateha at their graves.

BDST: 1931 HRS, JAN 23, 2015