The sun of liberation rose over the horizon on March 26, 1971 with the formal proclamation of the independence of Bangladesh when the Bengalis took up arms against the Pakistani occupation military who committed one of the worst genocide in modern history during the nine-month liberation war.
The war culminated in the victory of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971 after the supreme sacrifice of three million people.
The day has been celebrated as Independence Day since 1971. In 1980, the government decided to observe it as the National Day as well.
The president, Abdul Hamid, the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, Khaleda Zia, and the leader of the opposition in parliament, Raushan Ershad, issued messages on the eve of the day, greeting the nation.
They all are scheduled for daybreak to visit the National Memorial at Savar to pay homage to the heroes of the War of Independence.
The president, in his message said, ‘Exercising democratic norms and values, maintaining tolerance and fortitude and showing
mutual respect are the preconditions for flourishing democracy. Therefore, we have to maintain patience, self-restraint and forbearance along with showing respect to others’ opinion in a democratic pluralism.’
The prime minister said, ‘The defeated anti-liberation, communal forces are still engaged in undoing the democratic and development process of the country. On this auspicious day, I urge the countrymen to foil any plot of the evil-forces together.’
Identified local and international quarters are conspiring against the independence and sovereignty of the country, Khaleda said, urging people to thwart any conspiracy and to save the motherland.
Besides the dignitaries, families of the 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 is scheduled to take salute at a children’s parade at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka marking the Independence Day.
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 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 at 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 day.
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 Cricket Staduim at Mirpur.
Navy ships will remain open to public in ports of Sadarghat and Pagla, Chittagong, Mongla, 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 television and radio stations will air special programmes.
Political parties, soci0-cultural organisations, professional bodies and different institutes have taken detailed programmes to mark the day.
The ruling Awami League has taken a two-day programme.
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.
The party will hold a discussion at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh on Sunday.
BNP will hoist the national flag and the party colours atop all its offices and will bring out an Independence Day procession from its central office at 3:00pm toady. It held a discussion marking the occasion on Friday.
Armed Forces Division is hosting a military hardware exhibition at the Parade Square.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy and Liberation War Museum, National Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity and others will hold programmes marking the day.
Source: New Age