Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) is celebrating its 72nd founding anniversary through elaborate programmes across the country on Saturday.

On this day in 1948, the student organization was founded following the instruction of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The purpose to form the organisation was to achieve the country’s independence.

BCL has taken a three-day colourful programme to celebrate the anniversary.

The day’s programmes will include hoisting national and party flags at party offices at 6:30am, placing wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi, cutting of cake at 8:00am at Dhaka University Curzon Hall.

Marking the day, BCL has arranged a reunion programme at 2:30pm at Suhrawardi Uddan on the day, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present as the chief guest.

A voluntary blood donation campaign will be held on January 6 at 10:00am at Aparajeya Bangla in Dhaka University and educational materials would be distributed among students on January 7 at 10:00am.

Besides, winter clothes will be distributed among the destitute at 4:00pm on January 7 in front of Swoparjito Swadhinata Sculpture at Dhaka University.

The BCL has been leading all democratic and progressive movements in the country since its foundation in 1948.

The organization attained victory in all struggles in exchange of great sacrifices.

The BCL played pioneering roles in the language movement in 1952, in the victory of Jukta Front in 1954 polls, anti-Aiyub movement in 1958, education movement in 1962, six-point movement in 1966, mass upsurge in 1969, elections in 1970, the great Liberation War in 1971, rehabilitation activities in post-war Bangladesh, movement for restoration of democracy after 1975 changeover, student movement in 1983 and anti-autocratic movement in 1990.