Great Independence Day today

The nation is celebrating its 55th Independence and National Day today with due respect and elaborate programmes.

On the night of 25 March 1971, the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown aimed at suppressing calls for autonomy, resulting in mass killings and widespread displacement.

In response, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence, but he was arrested shortly after. On 26 March, Major Ziaur Rahman announced the declaration of independence over the radio, marking the official beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War.

The nine-month-long war claimed the lives of three million people and violated the dignity of two lakh women. However, the nation’s courage and sacrifice led to victory, and on 16 December 1971, Bangladesh achieved its long-awaited independence.

Today, the country honours those supreme sacrifices made during the war and continues its journey of rebuilding and reforming following the July uprising.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus have issued separate messages on the occasion, extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the countrymen living both home and abroad.

The government has taken elaborate programmes marking the Independence and National Day.

The day’s programmes began by heralding gun salutes early in the morning as a mark of profound respect to the heroic struggle of this nation, which suffered a protracted subjugation under foreign rules from time to time till achieving their coveted Independence in 1971.

The national flag has been hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings with the rises of sun while all streets and important city intersections have been decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.

Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands have been illuminated with colourful lights.

The National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar is the main venue of the celebration of the day.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus have placed wreaths early in the morning as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs.

The day is marked as a public holiday, with numerous events and activities organised by the interim government at the national level. It began with a 31-gun salute across the country, including Dhaka, as announced by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

Both the president and chief adviser laid wreaths in the morning to honour the martyrs of 1971. Families of the Birsreshtha, war-wounded freedom fighters, and other brave freedom fighters, led by the Liberation War Affairs adviser, also paid their respects.

People from various sectors laid wreaths at the National Memorial, and similar tributes were made at district and upazila memorials nationwide.

National dailies will publish special supplements, and Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations, and TV channels will air special programmes marking the significance of the day.

Political parties, socio-cultural, and professional organisations have also arranged various programmes to observe the day.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and other social and cultural organisations will arrange discussions, cultural programmes and sports competition while painting competition for children, essay and debate competitions will be organized.

Special prayers will be offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed souls of martyrs of the War of Liberation and all other patriotic sons of the soil.

Doa mahfil (special prayers) will be arranged at the mosques across the country including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Zohr prayer.

Improved meals will be served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanage centres to mark the day.

All children parks and museums will remain open for all while naval ships of Bangladesh Navy will be exhibited at Sadarghat in Dhaka, Pagla Naval Jetty in Narayanganj, Naval Jetty, New Mooring in Chattogram, BIWTA Rocket Ghat in Khulna, Digraj Naval Berth, Mongla, BIWTA ghats in Barishal and Chandpur from 2pm until the sun sets.

The missions abroad will also celebrate the day through similar programmes.