Victory Day being celebrated

The nation is celebrating the Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bangalees, today (Saturday) as the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on that day 52 years back after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation.

On December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion, paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971.

The programmes marking the 'Victory Day' included a 31-gun salute, placing of wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags atop all government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.

The victory day programmes also include decorating city streets and illumination of important buildings and establishments, roads and street islands at night.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar on the outskirts of the capital with the rise of the sun.

They were followed by the family members of Bir Sreshthos, wounded freedom fighters and other valiant freedom fighters led by the Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq.

Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life placed wreaths to pay homage to the martyrs.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana will host a reception at Bangabhaban on Victory Day marking the country's 53rd Victory Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and other dignitaries are expected to join the reception on the lawn of the Bangabhaban at about 5:30pm on the day.

As many as 20, 000 guests have been invited to the reception programme.

Of the invitees, cabinet members, advisers, state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant freedom fighters and families of Bir Shreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens will attend the reception.

The day is a public holiday.

National dailies have brought out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day while electronic media are broadcasting month-long special programmes based on the Liberation War.

Different social and cultural organisations including Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy have organised Liberation War-based discussions, cultural events and drawing, essay and sports competitions for children and display Liberation War-related documentaries.

Special prayers are being offered at mosques and other places of worship, seeking eternal peace in the souls of martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

Improved diets are being served in jails, hospitals, orphanages, old-age homes and other similar institutions across the country.