Thousands of people from all walks of life gathered at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, on Sunday to pay their respects to the martyrs and brave freedom fighters of the Liberation War.
For millions of Bangalis, Independence Day is a day of extraordinary sentiments, containing both happiness and grief as the country earned its sovereignty from Pakistani forces 53 years ago.
In the early hours of the day, at around 5:57am, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial.
The president first placed the wreath at the altar of the memorial followed by the prime minister.
After laying the wreaths, the president and the premier stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971.
After the president and prime minister left the premises at around 6:10am, the National Martyrs' Memorial was opened to the public.
People of all ages -- children, teenagers, and the elderly -- gathered and placed flowers at the memorial with heartfelt respect to the martyrs.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneMany freedom fighters of the Liberation War of Bangladesh were also present with flags, and flowers.
Various government, non-government, semi-government, and educational institutions' officials and staff, along with ordinary people, expressed their respect for the martyrs at the National Martyrs' Memorial through different banners and festoons.
Akram Hossain, who visited the National Martyrs' Memorial in the morning, mentioned that the number of people visiting Savar was comparatively less this year due to Ramadan.
“I came here early in the morning with my family. Some of my colleagues started for National Martyrs' Memorial from Dhaka right after Sehri to pay their respects,” he added.
Ismat Jahan, a university student, said: “I had planned to come to the National Martyrs' Memorial for a long time. Some of my friends and I came here together. It gives me peace of mind to pay tribute to the best children of the nation on Independence Day.”
After a nine-month war and the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved victory on December 16, 1971.
On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence, following a crackdown on unarmed Bangalis by Pakistani occupation forces at midnight on March 25.
The 53rd Independence Day is being observed throughout the country and Bangladesh missions across the globe with due dignity and enthusiasm, paying deep respect to the Liberation War martyrs.
