The nation celebrated the 52nd Independence and National Day on Saturday in a befitting manner through paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War and taking a vow to materialise their dreams.
On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees at night on March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces.
After a nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 2,00,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved its victory on December 16, 1971.
The government took elaborate programmes marking 51 years of independence. Besides, different political parties, including ruling Awami League, as well as socio-cultural and professional organisations also took various programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.
The day was a public holiday.
The day's programmes began by heralding gun salutes early in the morning as a mark of profound respect to the heroic struggle of this nation, which suffered a protracted subjugation under foreign rules from time to time till achieving their coveted independence in 1971.
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The national flag was hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings with the sunrise while all streets and important city intersections were decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.
Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and traffic islands were illuminated with colourful lights.
The National Memorial at Savar became the main venue of the celebration of the day.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths early Saturday as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs.
People from all walks of life, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war-wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, socio-cultural and professional bodies, also placed wreaths at the National Memorial later on the day.
National dailies brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
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Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and other social and cultural organisations arranged discussions, cultural programmes and sports competition while painting competition for children, essay and debate competitions were organised virtually.
Liberation War-based documentaries and movies were screened at cinema halls across the country.
Reception was accorded to freedom fighters and the members of martyred freedom fighters at city, district and upazila levels. Bangladesh Post Office Department unveiled a special commemorative stamp to mark the day.
Special prayers were offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation, four national leaders, martyrs of the War of Liberation and all other patriotic sons of the soil.
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Improved meals were served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old people’s homes, and orphanage centres to mark the day. All children’s parks and museums remained open for all.
The missions abroad also celebrated the day through similar programmes.
On the occasion of Independence Day, motor vehicle movement on the way to Savar was restricted on Saturday.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) earlier issued a traffic guideline and asked the public and private transports to take detours when travelling from Dhaka to Savar, Aricha-Paturia to Dhaka, and Tangail to Dhaka between 4:00am and 7:30am.
On the eve of the Independence Day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the countrymen at home and abroad.
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Every year, March 26 brings the most tragic reminiscence of the history's darkest episode that heralded a nine-month ordeal from the night of March 25, 1971, achieving the long-cherished independence on December 16 the same year at the cost of a sea of blood.
In the wake of the military crackdown, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who became the undisputed leader of the then Pakistan following the massive victory of his party, Awami League, in the 1970 general elections, declared the independence of Bangladesh through the then EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) wireless at 00-30 hours on March 26 in 1971 at his historic Road-32 residence at Dhanmondi in Dhaka.
The great leader also called upon the people to build up strong resistance against the Pakistani barbaric occupation forces.
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The Pakistani military junta, in a bid to stop the legitimate movement of the Bangalees, arrested Bangabandhu on that night following his declaration of independence.
Later, Bangabandhu was taken to the then West Pakistan where he had to spend nine months in a dark condemned cell.
Bangabandhu wrote down the declaration of independence soon after the Pakistani army cracked down on the fateful night of March 25, 1971.
The declaration of independence was soon put on air by wireless. The declaration was first broadcast by Awami League leader MA Hannan from Kalurghat radio station in Chattogram on March 26, 1971.
The nation soon launched the War of Liberation at the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country on December 16, 1971 with the surrender of the Pakistani occupation forces.
