The 51st Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bangalee nation, was celebrated today across the country in a befitting manner.
On December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women.
The celebration of the Victory Day this year added a new dimension as the day was celebrated coinciding with the two giant celebrations – the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country’s independence.
Marking the two celebrations, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee has taken a two-day special programme titled ‘the Great Hero of the`Great Victory’ at the South Plaza of Sangsad Bhaban in the city on December 16 to 17.
At the beginning of the first day’s programme today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina administered an oath to the nation this afternoon as part of the celebrations.
At the second session of the programme, a discussion was held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
President Abdul Hamid spoke at the meeting as the chief guest, while his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind addressed as the guest of honour.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and Chief Coordinator of the implementation committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury also spoke.
On the occasion, Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana presented the “Sraddha Smarak- Mujib Chironton” to the guest of honour.
All programmes marking the giant celebrations were held maintaining the health safety guidelines due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Besides, the programmes taken at national level marking the ‘Victory Day’ included a 31-gun salute, placing of wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, and hoisting of the national flags atop all government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.
The victory day programmes also included decorating city streets with miniature national flags and colourful festoons, and illumination of important buildings and establishments, roads and street islands at night.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar this morning.
This was followed by the family members of Bir Sreshthos and wounded freedom fighters and Bir Muktijoddhas.
Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life also paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Contingents of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force as well as Freedom Fighters, Para-military forces and law enforcement agencies participated in the parade held at the National Parade Square in the city.
President Abdul Hamid was present there and inspected the parade and took salute on the occasion, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the parade.
Besides, a discussion on the best utilisation of digital technology and upholding the spirit of the Liberation War in building Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was held on the occasion.
Receptions were accorded to valiant freedom fighters and family members of martyrs at city, upazila and district levels.
Following the health guidelines, special prayers were offered at mosques and other places of worship, seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
All children parks and museum across the country remained open for all and Liberation War-based movies were screened at the cinema halls at free of cost on the day.
A poster exhibition and historical documentary screening was held at Swadhinata Stambha and Underground Museum at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.
Similar programmes were taken at district and upazila levels as well as Bangladesh missions abroad, highlighting the significance of the day. The day was a public holiday.
National dailies brought out special supplements on the occasion while Bangladesh Postal Department released memorial postage stamps.
The state-owned and private televisions and radios broadcasted special programmes highlighting the Liberation War.
