The nation is celebrating the 43rd Victory Day today amid a jubilant mood with the execution of the execution of the first of the convicted war criminals.
For forty-two years the nation has observed the day with a demand for justice but it is slightly different this year as the victims for the first time have seen a glimmer of hope.
Some historic developments in the judiciary this year on the trial of war criminals and execution of Quader Molla on Thursday added a new dimension to the observance of the day.
The day, marking the ultimate victory over the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 in 1971 through a nine-month bloody war, is being celebrated across the country and Bangladesh missions abroad.
In separate statements, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the nation on the eve of the Victory Day.
Leader of the opposition Begum Khaleda Zia in a statement also greeted the nation on the eve of the day.
The government has taken elaborate programmes to observe the great Victory Day with due respect, enthusiasm and festivities.
A 31-gun salute will herald the day.
The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted atop government, semi- government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.
Important buildings and establishments would be illuminated at night.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar early in the morning. They will be followed by freedom fighters, foreign diplomats and people from all walks of life.
Improved diets would be served in hospitals, jails and orphanages. Children’s parks will remain open for all.
Important roads and road islands have already been decorated with miniature national flags, colourful festoons and digitized banners portraying the memorable moments of the nation’s victory in the war of liberation and the portraits of the national leaders.
Special prayers will be offered in mosques and other places of worship seeking peace, progress and prosperity for the country.
To mark the day, the ruling Awami League, main opposition BNP, other political parties, and cultural and social organisations have taken elaborate programmes.
On this day in 1971, the nation under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman achieved victory over the Pakistani occupation forces.
During the nine-month war, Pakistani forces and their local collaborators-Rajakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams-killed at least three million innocent Bangladeshi people and violated two lakh women which are considered to be one of the world’s worst acts of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Pakistani Army General AAK Niazi led his 93,000 soldiers to bow under an instrument for unconditional surrender to the allied forces of Mukti Bahini and Indian Army at the historic Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka in the day in 1971.
Source: Dhaka Trinune
