Armed Forces Day today

The Armed Forces Day will be celebrated through various programmes today amid festivity and enthusiasm, marking the establishment of army, navy and air force during the 1971 Liberation War.

The day’s programme will begin with offering of special prayers after Fajr prayers at all mosques in all the cantonments and naval and air force bases throughout the country on the day, seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and progress of the armed forces, said an ISPR press release.

On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, greeting members of the armed forces.

To mark the day, the president and the prime minister will place wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment today morning, paying homage to the martyred armed forces’ members who laid down their lives in the Liberation War in 1971.

Later, Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Navy Chief Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan will place wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces.

On the occasion, chiefs of the three services will pay courtesy call on the president at the Bangabhaban and prime minster at Armed Forces Division on the day.

The prime minister will accord a reception to family members of the Bir Shreshthas and selected gallantry award winning 1971 veterans and their family members at Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment.

The prime minister will distribute peace award for 2021-22 among four army, two navy and two air force personnel.

Liberation War Affairs Minister, PM’s Security Affairs Adviser, chiefs of the three services, PM’s Principal Secretary, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Senior Secretary of the Defence Ministry, Secretary of Liberation War Affairs Ministry and other military and civil officials will be present at the function.

Besides, a reception programme will be arranged on behalf of the premier at Senakunja in the cantonment at 4:00pm on the same day.

Marking the Armed Forces Day, navy chief and air force chief are expected to accord reception to gallantry award winning freedom fighters from their respective forces and their family members.

Receptions will also be accorded at cantonment or base at Barishal, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chattogram, Jashore, Rangpur and Khulna under the regional headquarters.

Various programmes have also been chalked out at different army garrisons, naval ships, installations and bases of the air force across the country outside Dhaka.

Bangladesh Navy will keep its ships open for all from 2 pm until the sun sets at different naval berths, rocket ghats and BIWTA ghats in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur Barishal and Chattogram for public on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day on November 21.