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Homecoming Day

Today is Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day

49th Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation, the architect of Bangladesh. After the establishment of independent-sovereign Bangladesh through the war of liberation, on this day in 1972, Bangabandhu was released from the captivity of Pakistan and set foot on the soil of blood-soaked Bengal. The victory of the freedom struggle was completed with the return of the architect of independent Bangladesh. Bangabandhu himself described his return to his homeland as a ‘journey from darkness to light’.

On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani invaders arrested the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, from his residence in Dhanmondi. He was imprisoned in Pakistan. When the Bengali nation fought for independence, Bangabandhu was on death row as a convict in a Pakistani prison. After the final victory of the Bengali nation on 16 December 1971, the world leaders became vocal in demanding the release of Bangabandhu. The Pakistani regime, defeated by international pressure, was finally forced to honorably release Bangabandhu from captivity. He arrived in Dhaka on 10 January 1972 via London-Delhi after 290 days of death count in every moment in Pakistani jails.

Bangabandhu returned to an independent Bangladesh after the victory. There was a festive mood in Bangladesh that day. The whole Bengali nation was waiting breathlessly for their beloved leader to arrive on the soil of an independent country. Lots of people gathered that day in the Dhaka airport area. The road from the airport to the historic racecourse ground (now Suhrawardy Udyan) was crowded. Bangabandhu was overwhelmed with emotion as soon as he set foot on the soil of independent Bangladesh. He broke down in tears after hearing the news of the genocide of the Pakistani aggressors and their local allies for 9 long months. On that day, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib declared to millions of people in Suhrawardy Udyan, “Even with blood, I will repay this debt of love of the Bengali nation.”

Thereafter, every year the grateful Bengali nation celebrates Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day with various arrangements. This time too the day is going to be celebrated in a joyous atmosphere.