Dhaka: Today (October 18) is the 57th birthday of Sheikh Russell, the youngest son of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He is the younger brother of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sheikh Russell was born on this day in 1964 at the Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi.
On the occasion of Sheikh Russell's birthday, various social and cultural organizations including the affiliated bodies of Awami League have taken elaborate programs. The Awami League has organized a wreath-laying, Fateha recitation, milad and doa- mahfil at the graves of all the martyrs killed on August 15, including Sheikh Russell, who was laid to rest at Banani graveyard at 9 am on Sunday. Similarly, Dhaka Metropolitan North-South Awami League, allied organizations and various social and cultural organizations have undertaken extensive programs.
It is to be noted that on August 15, 1975, the child Sheikh Russell was not saved from the bullets of the hateful killers, the enemies of humanity. He was brutally killed along with Bangabandhu and other members of his family. Sheikh Russell was then a fourth grader at the University Laboratory School.
Earlier, Sheikh Russell had pleaded to the killers not to kill him for the sake of Allah. He shouted, ‘God forbid you kill me knowingly. When I grow up, I will stay at your house as a work boy. My smiling sister is in Germany with Dulabhai. I fall at your feet, please send me to them in Germany. '
On that day, the throne of the creator was shaken by this cry of Bangabandhu's youngest son Russell, but the minds of the murderous stones could not be shaken. Like Bangabandhu and other members of his family, this innocent child was killed in cold blood on 15th August 1975.
Awami League General Secretary and Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader in a statement on Saturday urged party leaders, supporters and people of all walks of life to participate in the program on the occasion of ‘Happy Birthday of Sheikh Russell’, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. At the same time, he called upon the leaders and workers of Awami League and allied organizations at all levels to carry out similar programs across the country.