Various political, socio-cultural and volunteer organizations side by side with educational institutions including Rajshahi University observed the Martyred Intellectuals Day here today paying rich tribute to the martyrs together with conveying deep sympathy to members of the bereaved families.

On this day in 1971, a number of the country’s renowned academicians, doctors, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers and other eminent personalities were killed by the Pakistan occupation force and their local collaborators.

In observance of the day, multifarious programmes including placing of floral wreaths on Shaheed Minar, photo exhibition, public gathering, discussion meeting and candle enlightening on the mass graves were observed throughout the day.

Rajshahi City Corporation authority paid tribute to the great sons of the soil through placing wreaths at the newly built memorial plaque on the mass-grave site at Shrirampur Bablabon area.

City Mayor and Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League AHM Khairuzzaman Liton accompanied by his office colleagues placed wreaths at the newly built memorial plaque on the mass-grave at Bablabon.

They also observed one-minute silence and offered special prayers there seeking divine blessings for the departed souls of the martyred intellectuals besides conveying deep sympathy to members of the bereaved families.

Earlier, they also placed wreaths on the newly built mural of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman adjacent to the C&B crossing.

The District Administration paid homage to the Martyred Intellectuals through placing floral wreaths at the collectorate building Shaheed Memorial plaque. They also held a discussion meeting at its conference hall with Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil in the chair to mark the day.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi University observed the day through an elaborate daylong programme, which included placing floral wreaths on Shaheed Minar, discussion meeting, milad mahfil and probhat ferry.

RU VC Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar, Pro-VCs Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam and Prof Humayun Kabir, Treasurer Prof Obayedur Rahman Pramanik, Registrar Prof Abdus Salam and other teachers, officers and students placed wreaths at the RU Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours.

Magnificent RU Shaheed Smrity Sangrahashala’ remained open for the visitors marking the day.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Rajshahi Medical University and the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Rajshahi observed the day through almost similar types of programmes separately.