President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged citizens of the country to forge unity in order to make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041.

"We should continue our efforts to make the country into Sonar Bangla [that was] dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," he said in a message on the eve of historic March 7.

Bangabandhu's 7th March historic speech of 1971 was a fervent call for the freedom of the people of this country, he added.

In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged people to build a country that would be free from hunger and poverty as well as a non-communal, happy and prosperous one.

March 7 is an unforgettable day in the thousand-year history of the Bangalee nation, she said, adding that the magnificent speech of the Father of the Nation was the inspiration for the nation's struggle for freedom.

Different political parties including Awami League and other socio-cultural organisations have taken elaborate programmes across the country to observe the day.

This year, the day is much more significant for the nation as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has registered the landmark speech of Bangabandhu as World's Documentary Heritage.

Leaders of the AL will pay tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait on the premises of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road 32.

To mark the day, the AL has taken preparations to hold a huge public rally today at Suhrawardy Udyan -- the place where the historic speech was delivered.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League, is scheduled to address the rally as chief guest.