Dhaka – The nation celebrated its 46th Independence and National Day on Saturday with a fresh vow to build a prosperous and democratic Bangladesh with the united efforts of all.
Thousands of people from all walks of life thronged the Savar National Mausoleum and paid rich tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country’s independence.
Bangladesh gained independence on December 16, 1971 after a nine-month war that saw the supreme sacrifice of martyrs and.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in paying homage to the war heroes by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum.
President Hamid first placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial followed by the Prime Minister.
After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971.
The bugle played the last post and a smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion.
Later, President Hamid signed the visitor’s book on the mausoleum premises.
On her return from the National Mausoleum, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital.
Flanked by central leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League, laid another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
She also attended a rally of children and juveniles at Bangabandhu National Stadium arranged by the Dhaka district administration.
Addressing the rally, Hasina urged all to build the country through united efforts so that the national does not lag behind anymore.
Later, the Prime Minister greeted freedom fighters of the country and sent flowers, fruits and sweetmeats to the war-wounded freedom fighters as a mark of her good wishes for them.
PM’s Assistant Private Secretary-1 Jahangir Alam, APS-2 Saifuzzaman Shikhar and Protocol Officer Khurshid Alam handed over the items to the war-wounded Freedom Fighters at Muktijoddha Punarbashan Kendra at Mohammadpur in the capital.
She also released a commemorative postage stamp at her official residence Ganobhaban marking Day.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also paid tributes to Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in the morning, celebrating the day. – UNB
