On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh obtained victory over Pakistani occupation forces at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and sanctity of two lakh mothers and sisters.
The celebration of the Victory Day programmes began with a 31-gun salute in the city this morning. The national flag was hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh embassies and missions abroad at the dawn.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar, on the outskirts of the capital with the rise of the sun today.
Then, the Bir Shrestha families, war-wounded freedom fighters and brave Freedom Fighters, under the leadership of the Liberation War Affairs Adviser, laid wreaths there.
Members of the Advisory Council, other important state dignitaries and foreign diplomats paid homage to the martyred heroes at the main altar of the memorial.
Afterwards, the memorial was opened to the public. Leaders and activists of political, social and cultural organisations, along with students of various public and private universities and their residential halls, paid floral tributes in an orderly manner by standing in queues.
Since early morning, thousands of people from all walks of life gathered at the National Memorial premises to remember the nation's brave sons.
The altar of the National Memorial was filled with reverence and floral tributes from people of all professions and strata.
Political parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party and National Citizen Party (NCP) paid tributes to Liberation War martyrs.
In the evening, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation marking the victory day.
In his address, he emphasized protection of the youth and ensuring a peaceful and festive election with collective efforts to build a new Bangladesh, resisting all ill-efforts of defeated fascist and terrorist forces.
Referring to the recent heinous attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, Dr Yunus said, “Protect our youth. Then all of us and our beloved motherland will be protected.”
The day was a public holiday. On the eve of the Victory Day, the president and the chief adviser gave separate messages paying tributes to the Liberation War martyrs yesterday.
The main roads and road islands of Dhaka and various cities of the country were decorated with banners, festoons and colorful flags, including the national flag while important buildings and establishments were illuminated.
On the occasion, the government took programmes including a three-day victory fair, parachuting with the highest number of national flags, band and acrobatic shows, cultural events, arrangement of recitation, essay writing and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children
Marking the day, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus released a commemorative postage stamp yesterday. He also released an opening day cover and a canceller at a ceremony at the State Guest House Jamuna.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebeka Sultana today hosted a reception at Bangabhaban on the occasion of the country's 55th Victory Day.
As many as 7,218 guests, including some 266 members of the valiant freedom fighters and families of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients attended reception held at green lawn of the President house this afternoon.
Chief Justice Syed Refaat Hassan, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-e-Azam, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, distinguished citizens, journalists and civil and military were among the guests.
In addition, receptions were held for the family members of freedom fighters and martyrs in the metropolis, districts and upazilas.
Marking the day, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting published special supplements. State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other TV channels and radios broadcast programmes highlighting the glorious history of the Liberation War.
Cinema halls across the country screened Liberation War films free of charge for students while documentaries based on the Liberation War were screened at auditoriums and open places across the country.
