The nation is celebrating the 51st Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bangalee people, as the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces 50 years back after a nine-month long bloodstained war.
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 2,00,000 women.
The celebration of the Victory Day this year has added a new dimension as the day is being celebrated coinciding with the two giant celebrations — birth centenary of Bangabandhu and golden jubilee of the country’s independence.
The celebration programmes began through a 50-gun salute in the early hours of Thursday.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid glowing tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar on the outskirts of the capital.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion, as the bugles played the last post.
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, laid another wreath at the National Memorial along with the party leaders.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, and leaders of different political as well as socio-cultural organisations placed wreaths at the memorial.
People of all walks of life poured into the memorial to show respect to the memories of the war martyrs.
Besides, a colourful parade of the combined forces and motorcade showcasing activities of different ministries were held in the morning at the National Parade Square at Tejgaon Old Airport in the capital.
The president inspected the parade and received salutations as the chief guest, while the prime minister was also present at the parade.
The day is a public holiday.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee has taken up a two-day special programme titled “the Great Hero of the Great Victory” at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad in the city from December 16 to 17.
In the afternoon, the prime minister is expected to administer an oath to the nation as part of the celebrations.
The national flag has been hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings across the country.
Important buildings and installations have been illuminated, while the main roads and road islands of Dhaka and other cities have been decorated with the national flag and other flags.
Marking the day, national dailies brought out special supplements and Bangladesh Postal Department released memorial postage stamps.
The state-owned and private television channels and radios broadcast special programmes, highlighting the Liberation War.
