The nation will celebrate its 45th Independence Day and pay homage to the war martyrs today by placing flowers at the national memorial at Savar and other monuments across the country at daybreak.
The sun of liberation rose over the horizon on this day in 1971 with the formal declaration of Bangladesh’s independence when the Bengalis took up arms against the Pakistani occupation army who committed one of the worst genocide in modern history during the nine-month war.
The war culminated in the independence of Bangladesh on December 16 after the supreme sacrifice of three million people, reports the New Age.
The day has been celebrated as Independence Day since 1971 and in 1980, the government decided to observe it as National Day as well.
The president, Abdul Hamid, the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the opposition in parliament, Raushan Ershad, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, Khaleda Zia, gave messages on the eve of the day, greeting the nation.
They all are scheduled to visit the National Memorial at Savar at daybreak to pay homage to the heroes of the independence war.
Besides, families of Bir Shreshthas, war wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies and people from all walks of life will also lay wreaths at the National Memorial. The president will also host a reception at Bangabhaban on the occasion.
The prime minister will take salute at a children’s parade at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka marking the independence day.
The president called for making parliament a centre of excellence for settling national issues through discussions. ‘Without institutionalising democracy, overall development is difficult to achieve. Tolerance, fortitude and respect for others’ views are conditions for democracy.’
The prime minister called on the nation to guard against conspiracies by anti-democratic and anti-independence forces. ‘The conspiracy of the anti-liberation communal and anti-democratic forces is continuing to destroy democracy and frustrate development activities of the government. I urge the countrymen to face up to any ill attempts against the independence and democracy.’
A 31-gun salute at dawn will herald the day, with thousands of people flocking to the National Memorial commemorating the martyrs of the war.
The BNP chairperson said, ‘When the nation celebrates the independence day, democracy has been sent into exile and people are denied their constitutional and voting rights. The nation is witnessing enforced disappearances, abductions, extrajudicial killings, torture and mass arrest,’ she said and called upon all to take a fresh vow to ‘restore’ democracy and people’s rights.’
The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be flown atop government, semi-government and private buildings. Government and private establishments will be illuminated. Improved food will be served in hospitals, jails, orphanages, vagrant homes, Muktijoddha Kendra and charity homes.
All major political parties, socio-cultural and professional organisations and educational institutions will hold programmes marking the occasion.
Buglers from the three services will perform in different city points such as the Crescent Lake of the National Parliament, Farmgate Park and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Cricket Staduim at Mirpur.
Navy ships will be opened to public in ports of Sadarghat and Pagla, Chittagong, Mongla and Khulna and Barisal.
The government has tightened security across the country especially in the capital and its suburbs to foil any attempts at subversion.
Newspapers will bring out special supplements and state-run and private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes.
Awami League has taken a two-day programme to mark the day.
The AL will hoist the national flag and the party colours atop Bangabandhu Bhaban and all offices of the party across the country today.
AL leaders will lay wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and at the portrait of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
It will hold a discussion on Friday at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh.
BNP will hoist the national flag and the party colours atop all its offices today. It held a discussion on Tuesday marking the occasion.
Ganajagaran Mancha activists have begun a two-day programme at Shahbagh. Today they will bring out a flag procession to be followed by a concert of patriotic songs.
Armed forces division is hosting a military hardware exhibition at the Parade Square.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy and Liberation War Museum will hold programmes marking the day.
