Dhaka – The nation celebrates the 46th Independence and National Day on Saturday with due respect.
On March 26, 1971, the people took up arns following the crackdown on unarmed Banglalees on the midnight of March 25 by the Pakistani occupation forces.
After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971.
The day is a public holiday. President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia have issued messages on the occasion.
Both the President and the Prime Minister greeted the countrymen living at home and abroad on the occasion.
In his message, the President underscored the need for maintaining patience, self-restraint and forbearance along with showing respect to others’ opinion in a democratic pluralism.
He also urged all to take united efforts to accelerate overall development and democratic advancement of the country.
In her message, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that all would engage themselves with their utmost sincerity, honesty and dedication to build Bangladesh as a peaceful, non-communal, developed and prosperous country and help place it on a prestigious position in the comity of nations.
The national flag will be hoisted atop government and private buildings while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places will be illuminated on the auspicious occasion.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar at 5:57am.
The President will host a reception at 4:45pm at Bangabhaban on occasion of the Independence and National Day. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the reception.
The Prime Minister will place wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi at 7am and she will attend a rally of children and juveniles at Bangabandhu National Stadium at 8am.
She will also release stamps at 4pm at Ganabhaban.
As part of Awami League’s programmes to celebrate the National Day, the national and party flags will be hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi, party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue as well as offices across the country at sunrise. The party will place wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu at 7am.
Besides, another team of AL central leader will attend programmess taken at Tungipara to observe the day.
AL will arrange a discussion at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the city’s Framgate at 3:30pm on Sunday. AL president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the programme as the chief guest.
In observance of the day, BNP will hoist its flag and national flag at its Nayapaltan central office at 6am.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia along with the party leaders will place wreaths at Savar National Mausoleum at 7am to pay homage to the Liberation War martyrs.
Later, she together with her party’s leaders and activists will place wreaths at the grave of BNP founder and late President Ziaur Rahman at 8:30am on the occasion.
The party leaders and activists will also bring out an Independence Day rally from in front of its central office around 3pm the same day. – Agency
