Bangamata's 93rd birth anniversary today

The 93rd birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will be observed today in a befitting manner across the country.

Bangamata, also known by her nickname Renu, was born on 8 August in 1930 to the Muslim Sheikh family in Tungipara village of Gopalganj. She was a paternal cousin of her husband Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Her father's name was Sheikh Zahurul Haque and her mother's name was Sheikh Husne Ara Begum.

Renu was only 8 years old when she was married to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who himself was just 18, in 1938.

Bangabandhu later wrote in his autobiography "The Unfinished Memoirs" that Renu's mother died when she was five. Only her grandfather remained. He also died when Renu was just 7. Then, she grew up with Bangabandhu's siblings.

When Bangabandhu was just 13, he was betrothed to her. After Renu's father died, her grandfather called Bangabandhu's father and said, "I have to marry off one of my granddaughters to your eldest son because I will leave all my property to them." Renu's grandfather was Bangabandhu's paternal uncle.

Bangabandhu wrote, when their marriage was fixed, he was a teenager. "I heard I got married. I did not understand anything then."

Their wedding took place in 1938. Their family life started after Bangabandhu passed the entrance exam in 1942. That year he got admitted to Islamia College, Kolkata. His political career began there.

Bangamata was killed brutally along with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on the fateful night of 15 August 1975.

Fazilatunnesa Mujib was under house arrest during Bangladesh's Liberation War until 17 December 1971.

Marking the birth anniversary of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa, the Awami League and its associate bodies have taken programmes to pay respect to her memory. Wreaths will be placed at her grave in the city's Banani area.