Bangladesh will today celebrate the 46th anniversary of its victory over Pakistan in the Liberation War and commemorate all those who lost their lives fighting the occupation forces in the nine-month bloody war in 1971.
People from all spheres of life will pay their respects to the three million people who sacrificed their lives and honour to carve out an independent state after over two decades of West Pakistani rule.
The war ended on this day in 1971 when Pakistani Army Commander Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi and 93,000 troops surrendered to Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora, commander of the joint forces of the Indian military and the Mukti Bahini.
The Pakistan Army laid down their weapons at Ramna Race Course in Dhaka, the site of the public speech by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 7, 1971 which began the struggle for freedom.
This year, the Victory Day celebration is more special with Unesco recognising Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech as part of the world’s documentary heritage and including it in the Memory of the World International Register.
Surrender of the Pakistani occupation force at Racecourse Maidan on December 16, 1971. The sculpture is situated at Mujibnagar Memorial in Meherpur Photo: Masum-al-Hasan/Wikimedia Commons
Separate messages from President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia paid deep homage to the valiant freedom fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
The celebrations will begin today with a sombre remembrance, through a 31-gun salute at the National Parade Ground at dawn.
Around the same time, the president and prime minister will pay tributes at the National Memorial at Savar.
Programs
The government has prepared elaborate programs to celebrate Victory Day on today’s public holiday.
A colourful parade by the armed forces will be held at the National Parade Ground. The president will inspect the parade. The prime minister will also be present.
National flags will be raised atop all government, semi-government and non-government buildings around the country.
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Receptions are slated to be hosted for freedom fighters and families of martyrs at city, district and upazila levels. Special prayers will be offered in mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship seeking peace, progress and prosperity.
Special menus will also be served in all jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes. Destitute children will be allowed to visit children’s parks and other recreational centres, free-of-cost.
Bangladeshi missions abroad will also observe the day through different programs.
AL observing Victory Day
The Awami League and its allies have chalked out a three-day programme to celebrate Victory Day.
The national flag will be hoisted atop the ruling party’s offices across the country, while processions, discussions and cultural programs will be held.
The party will pay tribute to the 1971 martyrs at the National Memorial at dawn and pay respect to Bangabandhu at his mural at
the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 later in the morning.
Leaders of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance will also pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his grave in Tungipara, Gopalganj.
The BNP, Jatiya Party and other political parties will also observe the day through various programs.
