DHAKA: The nation is celebrating the 43rd Victory Day Monday, commemorating its cherished triumph in the nine-month bloody war against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971, and pay rich tributes to three million martyrs for their supreme sacrifice.

To mark the historic day, people remember the valiant sons of the soil, who sacrificed their lives to earn the long cherished independence for their beloved motherland.

The Victory Day is being celebrated across the country and all Bangladeshi missions abroad with a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the hard-earned independence and democracy.

December 16 in 1971, the country achieved its independence to emerge as Bangladesh after the nine-month long struggle for national independence.

In this day, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Aabdullah Khan Niazi along with 93,000 troops, surrendered following a miserable defeat before the joint forces of Mukti and Mitra Bahini, led by General Jagjit Singh Aurora of India, at Ramna Race Course in Dhaka.  

It is the venue from where the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman asked Bangalees to take all out preparations for independence, saying “with whatever (weapons) you have, fight the enemy” , on Mar 7, 1971 ahead of his final proclamation of independence of Bangladesh on Mar 25 night just before his arrest by Pakistani Military.

In one of the heinous acts of genocide in human history, the Pakistan army and their local collaborators launched a barbarous crackdown killing innocent and unarmed people in the erstwhile East Pakistan at midnight past Mar 25, 1971.

The Jamaat-e-Islami and some Islamist political parties of the time allegedly actively collaborated with the Pakistani forces, raising paramilitary forces such as Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams which took part in the genocide.

The day, which is a public holiday, is heralded with a 31-gun salute at dawn at National Parade Square.

The national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government and other important establishments. Important buildings would be illuminated at night.

The government has taken elaborate programmes to observe the great Victory Day with due respect, enthusiasm and festivities.

The other programmes included hoisting of the national flag, placing wreaths at the National Memorial, discussion meetings and prayer sessions.

People from different social groups and political, cultural, professional and academic organizations and institutions will throng the National Mausoleum in Savar to pay homage to the heroes who embraced martyrdom to liberate the motherland.

The government this time cancelled the Victory Day parade due to overall political condition of the country and the upcoming 10th national elections.

Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the nation in placing wreaths at the monument paying rich tributes to the martyrs. She will be followed by freedom fighters, foreign diplomats and people from all walks of life.

Bangladesh Radio, Bangladesh Television and private radio and television channels will air the parade live from the National Parade Square.

Different political, socio-cultural, professional and academic organizations have also taken up elaborate programmes to mark the day.

Special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship, seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country.

Different socio-cultural bodies, including Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Islamic Foundation and Nazrul Institute, will observe various programmes on the day.

Special diets would be served in hospitals, jails and orphanages. Children’s parks will remain open.

Programmes:

The day will be heralded with 31 gun salutes. However, no parade will be held this year as law enforcers are currently busy ahead of the national election.

President M Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia will place wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar in the early hours to pay homage to the martyred freedom fighters.

People from all walks of life will also place wreaths at the National Memorial.

National dailies will publish supplements. The state-owned and private televisions and radios will broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Special prayers will be offered in mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship seeking divine blessings for the peace and progress of the country.

The President will accord a reception to freedom fighters at Bangabhaban in the afternoon.

Apart from this, the ruling Awami League has chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day. The national and party flags will be hoisted at the party’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue at dawn.

Awami League leaders and workers will place wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar at the same time. The party leaders will also pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi in the city in the morning.

The ruling party will also bring out a victory rally from Suhrawardy Udyan in the afternoon.

The main opposition BNP will celebrate the Victory Day with various programmes across the country. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia along with her party leaders and activists will place wreaths at the majar of late President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Banglanagar in the capital around 8:00am.

The party will also hold a discussion meeting at the National Press Club in the afternoon marking the day.

BDST: 0001 HRS, DEC 16, 2013
Edited by: Morshed Jahan Mithrun/ Golam Rosul, Newsroom Editors/M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor