Dhaka: The nation is celebrating Independence Day today, commemorating the proclamation of independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman.
In the early hours of March 26, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence following the heinous attack on unarmed Bangalees by Pakistan forces on the midnight of March 25.
Enraged by the history’s one of the most barbaric attacks, Bangalees on this day took up arms to free their beloved motherland from the clutches of Pakistan occupation forces.
Defecting Bangalee military and paramilitary personnel as well as civilians by forming ‘Mukti Bahini’ started guerrilla warfare against the Pakistani forces to free their motherland.
Jamaat-e-Islami opposed the independence and formed militias such as Razakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams which massacred Bangalee civilians, particularly religious minorities.
Bangladesh achieved independence on December 16 in 1971 after a nine-month war against Pakistan through supreme sacrifices of three million people and losing chastity of two lakh women.
The government has chalked elaborate programmes to mark Independence and National Day across the country.
The programmes include placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, discussion, photo exhibition, blood donation, sports and painting competition for children, essay and debate contest.
Some of the programmes will be held virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The day is a public holiday.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages greeted countrymen on the occasion of the country’s 52nd Independence Day.
The day’s programmes will begin by heralding gun salutes early in the morning as a mark of profound respects to the heroic struggle of the nation.
The national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations at dawn while all streets and important city intersections will be decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.
Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and the islands of different roads will be illuminated with colourful lights to mark the day.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths early in the morning to pay respects to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
People from all walks of life, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social-cultural and professional bodies, will also place wreaths at the National Memorial.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television (BTV), private radio stations and TV channels will air month-long special programmes, highlighting the significance of the day.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and other social-cultural organisations will arrange discussions, cultural programmes and sports competition. Painting competition for children, essay and debate contest will be held virtually.
Liberation-War based documentaries and films will be screened at cinema halls across the country on the occasion.
Reception will be accorded to freedom fighters and the members of martyred freedom fighters at city, district and upazila levels, while Bangladesh Postal Office will publish commemorating postal stamps.
Special prayers will be offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worships across the country, seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Father of the Nation, four national leaders and martyrs of the Liberation War.
Improved meals will be served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanage centres to mark the day. All children's parks and museums of the country will remain open for all.
Ships of Bangladesh Navy will be exhibited at Sadarghat in Dhaka, Pagla Naval Jetty in Narayanganj, Naval Jetty at New Mooring in Chattogram, BIWTA Rocket Ghat in Khulna, Digraj Naval Berth, Mongla, BIWTA ghats in Barishal and Chandpur.
The country’s missions abroad will also celebrate the day through similar programmes.
Different political parties including, the ruling Awami League, as well as socio-cultural and professional bodies have also chalked out various programmes on the occasion.
Awami League also announced a two-day programme to mark the day. It will hoist national and party flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban, party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue and party offices across the country at 6:00am.
The ruling party will also place floral wreath at National Martyrs Memorial at Savar on limited scale by maintaining health guidelines.
Later, Awami League led by its President Sheikh Hasina will pay rich tribute to Father of the Nation by placing a wreath at his portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capita at 7:00am.
The party will also offer special prayers at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country.
A delegation led by party presidium member Faruk Khan will pay tribute to Bangabandhu at his mazar at Tungipara in Gopalganj at 11:00am. A milad and doa mahfil will also be held there.
A discussion meeting will be held at the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue tomorrowat 3:00pm, where Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend it virtually.
Opposition Jatiya Party will pay rich tribute to martyrs of Liberation War by placing wreaths at National Memorial in Savar. It will hold discussion at the Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will place wreaths at the National Memorial. It will also hold a discussion on Wednesday.
Dhaka Reporters Unity will pay tribute to the martyrs of Liberation War. It will arrange prize giving ceremony of Independence Day Badminton competition-2022 at 4:00pm.
