Bangladesh observes Mujibnagar Day to mark formation of provisional government

Bangladesh is observing the historic Mujibnagar Day, commemorating the formation of the country's first government.

On this day in 1971, the provisional government of Bangladesh was formed with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman named as the president. 

The government-in-exile, which was later known as Mujibnagar Government, took oath in a quiet mango grove at Baidyanathtola in then Meherpur of Kushtia district.

Sheikh Hasina launched the celebrations on Monday, first as prime minister and then as Awami League president, by placing floral wreaths at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka's Dhanmondi.

Members of her Cabinet and senior Awami League leaders joined her in paying respect to the founder of the nation.

Awami League's affiliate organisations later paid floral tributes to the portrait of the independence hero.

The ruling Awami League started the day's programme by hoisting national flag and the party flag at the Bangabandhu Bhaban and atop all its party offices across the country at 6am.

On this day in 1971, Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam had taken oath as the acting president of the provisional government in exile in absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

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Mujibnagar is not a footnote in our history

Tajuddin Ahmed was its first prime minister, M Monsur Ali finance minister, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad foreign minister and HM Qamruzzaman took oath as the home, and relief and rehabilitation minister.

General Ataul Gani Osmani was appointed the commander-in-chief of Bangladesh liberation army 'Mukti Fauj'.

A day after the government was formed, Tajuddin Ahmed addressed the nation. With it, the world came to know that a government had been formed for a nation in the making.

The skilled leadership of the government-in-exile won the war within nine months, which gave birth to the new nation on Dec 16, 1971.