Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country on December 16, 1971, with the surrender of the Pakistani forces after a brutal nine-month war in which three million people were killed and 200,000 women were dishonoured.
Bangladesh is celebrating the 54th Independence and National Day today (March 26) in a befitting manner.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion of the day. The government has taken elaborate measures to celebrate the day.
The programmes began with gun salutes early in the morning as a mark of respect for the heroic struggle of the nation. The national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings while all streets and important city intersections have been decorated.
Bands of different forces will play music at important points in Dhaka. Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands will be illuminated with colourful lights.
The National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar will be the main venue of the day’s celebration. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths there early in the morning.
People from all walks of life, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war-wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies, will also lay wreaths at the memorial.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air month-long special programmes on the Liberation War highlighting the significance of the day.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and other social and cultural organisations will arrange discussions, cultural programmes and sports competition while painting competition, essay and debate competitions will be organised for children.
Liberation War-based documentaries and movies will be screened at cinema halls across the country.
Reception will be accorded to the freedom fighters and the members of martyred freedom fighters at city, district and upazila levels while Bangladesh Post Office will publish commemorative postage stamps.
Special prayers will be offered at all places of worship seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation, four national leaders, martyrs of the War of Liberation and all other patriotic sons of the soil.
Improved meals will be served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanage centres to mark the day. Children’s parks and museums will remain open to all.
Ships of Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard will be kept open for public at Chattogram, Khulna, Mongla and Payra ports and Dhaka’s Sadarghat, Narayanganj’s Pagla, Barishal and Chandpur BIWTA dockside from 9 am to 2pm on the day.
The missions abroad will also celebrate the day through similar programmes.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence through the then EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) wireless at 0030hrs on March 26 at his Road-32 residence in Dhanmondi.
The Pakistani military junta arrested Bangabandhu following his declaration of independence and took him to West Pakistan where he had to spend nine months in a condemned cell.
Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country on December 16, 1971, with the surrender of the Pakistani forces after a brutal nine-month war in which three million people were killed and 200,000 women were dishonoured.
