DHAKA: The 67th birth day of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League is being celebrated across the country Saturday.

Prime Minister Hasina is now in New York for attending the 68th UN General Assembly.

On this day in 1947, Sheikh Hasina, elder daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, was born in Tungipara of Gopalganj district.

Sheikh Hasina is the eldest than other four siblings of her and they are—Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Rehana and Sheikh Rasel.

Affectionately called `Hasu` by her parents and grandparents, Sheikh Hasina started her schooling at a minor school in Tungipara. Later, she was admitted into Nari Shikkha Mandir (now Sher-e-Bangla Girls School and College) at Tikatuli in the old city in 1954 when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became a minister in the Jukta Front government.

She had a colorful childhood memory in the remote area where she played in and with nature.

As an examinee from Azimpur Girls School, Sheikh Hasina passed secondary examinations in 1965 and higher secondary examinations from Intermediate Girls College (now Badrunnessa Government Women`s College) in 1967. She was enrolled in honours class of Bangla Language and Literature department at the Dhaka University in 1967 and obtained Bachelor of Arts degree from the same university in 1973.


During her academic life, Sheikh Hasina was elected vice-president of Intermediate Girls College Students Union and general secretary of Rokeya Hall unit Chhatra League. As a student leader she actively took part in the six-point movement of 1966.

Sheikh Hasina was married to nuclear scientist Dr M Wazed
Miah in 1968 during the country`s turbulent days in late 60s.

Hasina was elected president of AL in a council session of the party in February 1981 while she was in exile. She returned home on May 17, 1981, ending her stay abroad following the August 15, 1975 tragedy.

Marking the day, special prayers and milad mahfils will be
organised at different mosques including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Zohr prayers while special prayers also will be offered at Dhakeshwari National Temple and other places of worship including churches and pagodas at 12noon.

As per an AL press release on Friday, Awami League Central Working Committee will present a bouquet to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New York.

Dhaka City Awami League, the largest unit of the ruling Awami
League, will observe her birthday with a daylong programme
on (September 28-Saturday).

They will distribute clothes among the destitute apart from organising discussions at the party central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital at 4pm.

Awami Swechchasebak League cut a huge cake at its central office at Bangabandhu Avenue at 12:00am Saturday to mark the day.

Other wings of the party are set to hold various programmes as well.

BDST: 0951 HRS, SEP 28, 2013
MUM/AIA/RS/BSK- [email protected]