The Armed Forces Day that marks the establishment of Bangladesh military during the country’s War of Liberation will be observed on Thursday with due solemnity and enthusiasm. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising Army, Navy and Air Force came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces. President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia have issued separate messages on the occasion. In his message, the President said the nation remembers with deep gratitude the contribution of the armed forces personnel to the Liberation War. He prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of those who laid down their lives for the country’s independence and sovereignty. The Prime Minister in her message paid tribute to all martyrs of the liberation war, including all martyred soldiers of the armed forces. She said the armed forces personnel have been working in facing disasters, in infrastructures construction, to serve the distressed people and in various nation building activities alongside performing their professional duties. In her message, Khaleda Zia greeted the members of Army, Navy and Air Force and wished their as well as their families’ continued happiness, peace and progress. The day’s programme will begin with the offering of munajat (special prayer) after Fajr prayers at all mosques at Army garrisons, naval bases and establishments as well as Air Force bases throughout the country, seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and development and progress of the armed forces. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning to pay homage to the members of the armed forces who had embraced martyrdom in the War of Liberation. Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari will also place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ on behalf of their respective services. The chiefs of the three services will pay courtesy calls on the President at Bangabhaban and the Prime Minister at the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment. On this occasion, the Prime Minister will host a reception and meets the family members of the Bir Shresthas and other gallantry award-winning freedom fighters at the Armed Forces Division. In the afternoon, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who also holds the Defence portfolio, will host a reception at Sena Kunja in Dhaka Cantonment to commemorate the day. Among others, the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangshad, the Chief Justice, former Presidents, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, ministers and dignitaries of the equivalent status, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, judges of the Supreme Court, foreign diplomats and MPs of Dhaka are expected to attend the reception. Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters will also accord receptions to the members of the shaheed families, award-winning and retired freedom fighters of their respective services. Besides, receptions will be held at Savar, Bogra, Ghatail, Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet, Jessore, Rangpur, Khulna and Rajendrapur cantonments. Meanwhile, programmes have been chalked out to observe the day at all Army garrisons, naval ships and establishments and Air Force bases throughout the country. Specially decorated ships of Navy will remain open at Sadarghat in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Chittagong, Khulna and Barisal for visitors from 1pm to 4:30 pm. Bangladesh Television (BTV) is scheduled to broadcast a special ‘Anirban’ highlighting significance of the day after its 8 pm bulletin on Wednesday. Besides, Bangladesh Betar will broadcast a special ‘Durbar’ programme at 7:30 pm on Thursday. The national dailies will publish special supplements on Thursday. – UNB
