FT ONLINE

Awami League supporters and activists are flocking at Suhrawardy Udyan ahead of the party’s rally, observing the historic March 7, to be held later today.

This morning, several groups were seen marching through Dhaka University and Shahbagh areas, with banners and chanting slogans, heading for the rally venue.

This year, March 7 will be observed with much more fanfare as the speech delivered by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on this day back in 1971 has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of the world's important documentary heritage maintained by Unesco.

AL already held a series of meetings in last several days with different front and like-minded organisations to ensure a record gathering. Plus, the government in association with businesses have agreed to keep 73 markets in Dhaka South City Corporation shut for the rally.