The country celebrated its 45th Independence and National Day yesterday with due solemnity and festivity.
On March 26, 1971, father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalis on the midnight of March 25 by the Pakistani occupation forces.
After a nine-month bloody War of Liberation, the people of the country achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971.
The day was a public holiday.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the people of the country on the occasion, the UNB reported.
“The present government has taken up Vision 2021 for materialising the dream into reality. It is my expectation that people from all strata would contribute to building an IT-based happy and prosperous Bangladesh through implementing the vision by the golden jubilee celebration of our independence,” the president said.
In her message, the prime minister said the independence earned through the sacrifice of millions of people is the greatest achievement of the nation.
“To make the achievement meaningful, all must know the true history of the Liberation War and retain the spirit the independence. It would have to be spread generation to generation,” she said.
The president and the prime minister also paid tributes to the martyrs of the war by placing wreaths at the National Memorial yesterday morning, the BSS reported.
They were joined by Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, ministers, advisers, parliament members, chiefs of the three armed services, freedom fighters, diplomats and high civil and military officials.
The national flag was hoisted atop government and private buildings while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places were decorated in celebration.
The prime minister also paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi.
Later, she released a commemorative postage stamp, a first day cover and a data card at her Ganobhaban residence.
Different socio-economic-politcal and academic organisations around the country organised programmes to remember the war martyrs and pay their homage throughout the day.
Several BNP leaders also went to the National Memorial to pay their tribute to the war martyrs. However, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia did not join her fellow BNP leaders, similarly as the National Martyrs Day on February 21.
President hosts reception marking Independence Day
President Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom hosted a reception yesterday evening at Bangabhaban on the occasion of the Independence and National Day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception held at the lawn of the president’s House.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad joined the reception.
Valiant freedom fighters and family members of the Birshreshtha gallantry awards attended the function, the UNB reported.
The chief justice, cabinet members, deputy speaker, advisers to the prime minister, state ministers, supreme court judges, election commissioners, cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three armed services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, newspaper editors, senior civil and military officers, academics, diplomats, senior lawyers, business community leaders, artistes and distinguished citizens also joined the reception.
The president and the prime minister together exchanged greetings with war-wounded freedom fighters and other guests at the function.
They also enquired about the well-being of the war-wounded freedom fighters and assured them of extending all-out support for their all possible welfare.
No BNP leader was seen at the programme, though its 21 top leaders, including Chairperson Khaleda Zia, were invited.
Modi, Pranab greet people of Bangladesh
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Bangladeshis on the eve of the 45th Independence Day on micro-blogging site Twitter.
The Indian PM wrote: “Independence Day greetings to the people of Bangladesh, a Nation that has always been an enduring and important friend for India.”
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee also earlier extended his greetings on the occasion.