Dhaka, Dec 16 – Bangladeshis at home and abroad on Sunday paid deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country in 1971, marking the 48th Victory Day. Bangladesh was born as an independent country on this day in 1971 after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month war.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in paying tributes to the gallant souls of the soil, who sacrificed themselves for the country’s independence.
They placed wreaths separately at the National Mausoleum in Savar at sunrise and stood in solemn silence as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs.
Sheikh Hasina also paid respects to Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the country and its people to independence. She placed a wreath at the portrait of the independence hero and stood silently for some time in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi.
Hasina, also the ruling Awami League president, placed another wreath as the party chief.
Bangalees united under the leadership of Bangabandhu and fought the occupation forces and their local collaborators with everything they had. Bangladesh was finally born through the sacrifice of three million lives and the honour of 200,000 women.
There was no parade at the National Parade Ground this year as the country is preparing for its next national election scheduled for December 30.
But various socio-cultural and professional bodies and institutions, including Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, National Museum, Muktijuddho Jadughar and Bangladesh Shishu Academy, marked the day with elaborate programmes.
The day was a public holiday.
The national flag was hoisted atop government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices across the country. Important buildings and establishments were illuminated.
State-owned and private television channels and radios are airing month-long special programmes highlighting the Liberation War. National dailies brought out special supplements on the occasion.
Receptions were hosted for freedom fighters and families of the martyrs at the city, district and Upazila levels. Special prayers were offered in mosques and other places of worship.
Improved diets were served in jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.
Destitute children were allowed to visit children’s parks and other recreational centres across the country free-of-cost.
Bangladesh missions abroad also celebrated the day with different programmes. – UNB
