Armed Forces Day is set to be observed on Thursday amid festivity and enthusiasm marking the establishment of the army, navy and air force during the 1971 Liberation War.
The day's programs will commence with special prayers offered after Fajr prayers at mosques across all cantonments, naval bases and air force bases in the country, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a press release on Wednesday.
The prayers will seek divine blessings for the martyred members of the armed forces in 1971, as well as for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and the armed forces.
To mark the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the supreme commander of the armed forces, and Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus will deliver separate messages.
The president and the chief adviser will place wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (Flame Eternal) at Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday morning.
Later, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan will also lay wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces.
The chief adviser will exchange pleasantries and have a courtesy meeting with the chiefs of the three services at his Armed Forces Division office in Dhaka cantonment.
The chiefs of the three services will later pay a courtesy call on the president at Bangabhaban.
On the occasion, the chief adviser will accord a reception to the selected gallantry award-winning valiant freedom fighters and their family members at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka cantonment.
He will also distribute souvenirs and exchange greetings with the gallantry award-winning war veterans at that time.
To mark the day, on behalf of the chief adviser, a reception will also be held at Sena Kunja in Dhaka cantonment at 4pm on Thursday.
Bangladesh Television will live telecast the program.
Receptions will also be arranged at cantonment or bases at Barisal, Cox's Bazar, Bogra, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chittagong, Comilla, Jessore, Rangpur and Khulna under the area headquarters.
Various programmes have also been chalked out at different army garrisons and naval and air bases outside Dhaka to mark the day.
Bangladesh Navy will keep its ships open for all visitors from 2pm until the sun sets at different naval ghats in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur, Barisal and Chittagong on Thursday.
A "Special Anirban" program illustrating the significance of the day will be telecast on BTV after Wednesday's 8pm news.
Additionally, Bangladesh Betar will broadcast another program, "Bishesh Durbar," at 7:30pm on Thursday.
The "Special Anirban" program will be telecast later on other television channels gradually.
National dailies will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
Educational institutions run by armed forces will organize essay and painting competitions marking Armed Forces Day as well.
