President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday morning paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum marking the country’s 44th Independence and National Day.
The President was the first to place a wreath at the altar of the National Mausoleum at 6:00 am. He was immediately followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After placing the wreaths, both the President and the Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for sometime as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs of 1971 Liberation War.
A smartly-turned out contingent drawn from the army, navy and air force gave salute as the bugle played the last post at that time.
Later, the Prime Minister placed a wreath at the National Mausoleum on behalf of Bangladesh Awami League.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice M Muzammel Hossain, Deputy Speaker Adv Fazle Rabbi Miah, Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, State Ministers, the chiefs of the three services, diplomats, high civil and military officials, freedom fighters, other dignitaries and senior leaders of Awami League were present.
Later, President Abdul Hamid signed the visitor’s book at the memorial.
The 44th Independence and National Day is being celebrated across the country with a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War amid an intensified campaign to translate into reality Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream of building a ‘Sonar Bangla’ completing the war crimes trial.
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 Independence of Bangladesh through the then EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) wireless at 00-30 hours on March 26 (the night following March 25) in 1971 at his historic Road-32 residence at Dhanmondi here.
The great leader also called upon the people to build up strong resistance against the Pakistani barbaric forces. 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.
The day is a public holiday.
Source: UNBConnect