DHAKA: The nation celebrated the 44th Independence and National Day Wednesday with a fresh pledge to institutionalize democracy upholding the spirit of the Liberation War.
On the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia issued separate statements, greeting the nation and paid homage to the 1971 martyrs.
In separate messages, the president and the premier called upon the nation to uphold the spirit of the War of Liberation to fulfill the dreams of the valiant Freedom Fighters, who embraced martyrdom for the cause of their beloved motherland.
The BNP chief, in her message, called upon the nation to be united for the sake of country’s democracy.
The day is a public holiday.
The national flag hoisted atop all the government and private buildings while all streets and important city intersections were decorated with national and multi-colored miniature flags and festoons.
Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands were illuminated with colourful lights.
Every year, the March 26 brings the most tragic reminiscence of the history`s blackest episode that heralded a nine-month bloody ordeal from the night following March 25, 1971 in achieving the long-cherished independence on December 16.
In the wake of the military crackdown, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who became the undisputed leader of the then Pakistan following the massive victory of his party Awami League in the 1970 general elections.
Later, Bangabandhu was taken to the then West Pakistan where he had to spend long nine months in a dark condemned cell. According to Banglapedia, Bangabandhu wrote down the declaration of independence soon after the Pakistani army cracked down on the fateful black night of March 25, 1971.
The declaration was first broadcast by Awami League leader MA Hannan from Kalurghat Radio Station in port city Chittagong on March 26, 1971.
However, on March 27, 1971, the then Major Ziaur Rahman announced the proclamation of independence on behalf of great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the same radio station.
Different political and cultural organizations chalked out elaborate programs on the occasion.
The Awami League held a discussion at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh at Khamar Bari at Farmgate in the capital at 3.30pm on Thursday marking the day.
Apart from this, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party, Workers Party, Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal (JSD), Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Gano Forum, LDP and some other stream political parties and their associate bodies also chalked out various programs to mark the 44th Independence Day.
BDST: 2122 HRS, MAR 26, 2014
