Wednesday 17th April is historic Mujibnagar Day. An unforgettable day for the Bengali nation. On this day in 1971, the new sun of Bangladesh's independence rose in Baidyanathtala, Meherpur.Later this Baidyanathtala was named as historical Mujibnagar. One of the main organizers of the liberation war, Tajuddin Ahmad, the first Prime Minister of the newly formed Bangladesh government, set the date for the swearing-in ceremony on 14 April after confirming the security and geographical situation of the area through discussions with the leaders of the South Western region while traveling to India through the Chuadanga border on March 30, 1971.Initially, the swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to take place at Chuadanga, but due to the dramatic change in the war situation, considering security reasons, the swearing-in ceremony was decided at Baidyanathtala (present-day Mujibnagar), Meherpur border area under the EPR-Wing, instead of Chuadanga.Day after day the freedom fighters were not recognized after the death war when the morale of the liberating people started to break. In such a time of crisis, Indian BSF senior officer Golak Majumdar and 76 BSF battalion captain Lt. Colonel Chakraborty came to Baidyanathtala and spoke to Awami leaders including the local struggle committee and the then Sub-Divisional Administrator Taufiq-e-Elahi and asked them to complete the preparations for the construction of the stage at Baidyanathtala Arakanan (now Mujibnagar Memorial).On April 16, Apamar organized the event by collecting wooden chowki from the locality with the spontaneous participation of the people, making the stage, building bastoni with bamboo clamps and using locally broken chairs and tables. Accessory equipment comes from Hridaypur BSF camp in India. Arrangements are made with utmost secrecy.On April 17, 1971, Tajuddin Ahmad and Syed Nazrul Islam along with other leaders reached Baidyanathtala around nine in the morning. Local and foreign journalists and members of the Indian security forces also came. The much-awaited swearing-in ceremony began at eleven in the morning.As Major Abu Usman Chowdhury was late in arriving, Police Officer Mahbubuddin Ahmed greeted the leaders with a small group of EPR Ansar. After receiving the greeting, Syed Nazrul Islam hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh with the performance of the national anthem by local artists.The official program started with Quran recitation by Baker Ali of neighboring Gourinagar (now Lecturer Government College Mujibnagar) and Bible reading by Pintu Biswas of Bhaberpara village. After that, Awami League's chief whiff Professor Md. Yusuf Ali read the Declaration of Independence of the People's Republic of Bangladesh standing in front of thousands of freedom-seeking people and hundreds of local and foreign journalists on the free land of Bengal.Chief Whief Professor Yusuf Ali administered the oath of office to Syed Nazrul Islam as the Deputy Head of State in the absence of President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by virtue of the historic declaration of independence.He then announced the name of Tajuddin Ahmed as the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and in consultation with the Prime Minister introduced Khandkar Mushtaq Ahmad as Minister of Law, Parliament and Foreign Affairs, AHM Kamruzzaman as Minister of Home Affairs and Captain M Mansoor Ali as Minister of Finance. Although Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not present in this event, his name was repeatedly mentioned.According to the decision of the Council of Ministers, the name of Colonel MAG Osmani as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Colonel Abdur Rab as the Chief of Staff of the Army were announced. After that, the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Tajuddin Ahmed, gave a 30-minute rousing speech in front of everyone present.In his speech, he said, from today the capital of independent Bangladesh will be Baidyanathtala and its new name will be Mujibnagar. He appealed to the people of the world for recognition of the new state and military assistance.

A 12-member team presented the guard of honor to the interim president after the leaders came down from the stage after the speech and oath-taking ceremony.Yad Ali, Ansar members Azimuddin Sheikh, Sirajul Islam, Unsal Mallik, Hamidul Islam, Saheb Ali, Liaquat Ali, Nazrul Islam, Fakir Mohammad, Mohiuddin, Kesmat Ali and Mofiz Uddin led the then police officer Mahbub Uddin Ahmed. Mujibnagar's march became loud with the cheers of the crowd present. All in all, the program was over in a couple of hours.Under the leadership of the Mujibnagar government, the independence of Bengal was achieved after nine months of war in exchange for the blood of lakhs of martyrs. The independent sovereign name of Bangladesh is placed on the world map.

 Public Administration Minister and Meherpur-1 Constituency Member of Parliament Farhad Hossain said that Mujibnagar Day will be celebrated with full pomp and public gathering. People of Meherpur look forward to this day in memory of Bangabandhu.District Commissioner Shamim Hasan said, on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day, a day-long program has been organized in Mujibnagar. On this occasion, the official activities to celebrate the day will be started by hoisting the national flag at Mujibnagar Memorial at 9 am. After placing wreath at Mujibnagar Memorial, the Chief Guest will receive the Guard of Honour. This will be followed by an attractive parade and a ballad titled “Land of Golden Dreams” performed by Ansar VDP forces.The main part is the discussion meeting at Sheikh Hasina stage at 10:30 am. Minister of Liberation War Affairs A,K,M Mozammel Haque MP, Minister of State for Women and Children Simin Hossain Rimi along with other ministers, members of National Parliament, national level dignitaries and local people will be present as chief guests in the discussion meeting. Public Administration Minister and Member of Parliament for Meherpur-1 Farhad Hossain will preside over the event.