DHAKA: The 44th Victory Day was celebrated on Tuesday commemorating its cherished triumph in the nine-month bloody war against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971, and paid rich tributes to three million martyrs for their supreme sacrifice.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar at 6:42am.
Earlier, they arrived at the memorial around 6:30am amid tight security. Law enforcers took three-tire security in the adjoining area. Army personnel, RAB, police and members of intelligence agencies were deployed to ensure overall security.
They were followed by Raushan Ersahd, opposition leader of the Parliament, cabinet members, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and different political and socio-cultural organizations.
Then freedom fighters, foreign diplomats and people from all walks of life paid their homage to the great heroes of the country paying rich tributes to the three million martyrs for their supreme sacrifices.
Later, President Abdul Hamid and PM Sheikh Hasina attended the Victory Day parade, began at 10:00am at the National Parade
Square, in participation of freedom fighters, members of armed forces and other law enforcing agencies.
The day, which is a public holiday, was heralded with a 31-gun salute at dawn at National Parade Square.
The national flags were hoisted atop all government, semi-government and other important establishments.
However, the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, AAMS Arefin Siddique, inaugurated a program on this occasion in city’s Suhrawardy Udyan around 1:15pm.
Thereafter, the national anthem of Bangladesh “Amar Sonar Bangla” was sung at 4:31pm at the venue.
The entire area sparkled with colorful lights, walls got painted with victory day messages and illustrations, and the sculptures on campus donned a fresh look.
The Victory Day celebration ended with the event of ‘Concert for Freedom’ being followed by the presentations of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artistes and fireworks.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private radio and television channels aired the parade live from the National Parade Square.
To mark the historic day, people gathered to remember their valiant sons, who sacrificed the lives to earn the long-cherished independence for their beloved motherland.
The Victory Day has been celebrated across the country and all Bangladeshi missions abroad with a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the hard-earned independence and democracy.
On December 16 in 1971, the country achieved its independence to emerge as Bangladesh after the nine-month armed 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 the then Ramna Race Course Maidan in Dhaka.
The government took elaborate programs to observe the day with due respect, enthusiasm and festivities.
People from different social groups and political, cultural, professional and academic organizations and institutions thronged the National Mausoleum in Savar to pay homage to the heroes who embraced martyrdom to liberate the motherland.
Different socio-cultural bodies, including Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Islamic Foundation, National Museum and Nazrul Institute, observed various programs in the day.
Special foods were served in hospitals, jails and orphanages. Children’s parks remained open all the day.
** Nation celebrating 44th victory day
BDST: 2200 HRS, DEC 16, 2014
