Sheikh Russel


Sheikh Russel was the youngest child of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first President of Bangladesh. Russel, and most of his direct family, was killed in his home during a 1975 military coup.

Early life

Russel was born on October 18, 1964, at Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was the brother of Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. At the time of his death, he was a student at the University Laboratory School.

Death

At 12:30 a.m. BST on August 15, 1975, Bangladesh Army officers attacked the Dhaka residence of President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Russel was killed by the officers, as were most of his family members who were also home at the time of the attack.

Legacy

Several athletic organizations in Bangladesh have been named in memory of Russel, including the professional football club Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra, the Sheikh Russel School Table Tennis Tournament, the Sheikh Russel Memorial Sporting Club, and the Sheikh Russel Roller Skating Complex. In April 2014, a children's park named Sheikh Russel Shishutosh Angan was built in Kalabagan, Dhaka.
His birthday is observed annually by Bangladesh Awami League and organizations associated with it. The Sheikh Russel Jatio Shishu Kishore Parishad is a philanthropic organization based in Dhaka.
On February 20, 2016, Prime Minister Hasina opened the Shaheed Sheikh Russel Bridge on the Shibbaria River. On October 2, 2016, the Bangladesi Information and Communication Technology Division announced plans to build 2,000 computer labs called Sheikh Russel Digital Labs in schools and colleges across Bangladesh.