The nation is set to celebrate its 54th Victory Day on Monday, marking the historic day in 1971 when the country was liberated from Pakistani occupation after a nine-month-long Liberation War.
On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation, paying a heavy price with the supreme sacrifice of 3 million lives and the honour of nearly half a million women.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages on the occasion, paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Victory Day programs will include a 31-gun salute, the laying of wreaths at memorials to pay homage to the martyrs, and the hoisting of national flags atop all government, semi-government, private offices and autonomous bodies across the country.
The celebrations will also feature the decoration of city streets and the illumination of key buildings, roads and street islands at night.
President Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Yunus will pay homage to the martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, located on the outskirts of the capital, with the rise of the sun.
They will be followed by family members of the Bir Shreshthos, wounded freedom fighters and other valiant freedom fighters, led by the liberation war affairs adviser.
Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of political and social organizations, and people from all walks of life will join in paying their respects by placing wreaths at memorials.
The president will host a reception at Bangabhaban on Victory Day, which will be observed as a public holiday.
National dailies will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day, while electronic media will broadcast month-long special programs focusing on the Liberation War.
Various political, social and cultural organizations, including the BNP, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum and Bangladesh Shishu Academy, will organize Liberation War-based discussions, cultural events, and drawing, essay and sports competitions for children, along with the screening of Liberation War-related documentaries.
Receptions will be hosted for freedom fighters and the families of martyrs at the city, district and upazila levels.
Special prayers will be offered at mosques and other places of worship for the eternal peace of the martyrs’ souls and for the peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
Special meals will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages, old-age homes and other similar institutions across the country.
All children’s parks and museums will remain open for all without tickets, and Liberation War-based films will be screened free of charge in cinemas across the country.
Similar programs will be held at district and upazila levels as well as by Bangladesh missions abroad.
Important buildings and structures will be illuminated, and roads and islands in the capital and across the country will be adorned with national flags and colourful festoons.
On the occasion of Victory Day, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus released a commemorative postage stamp worth Tk10. Along with this, a Tk10 inaugural cover and a Tk5 data card were also unveiled by the chief adviser.
At the ceremony at the State Guest House Jamuna, Information Adviser Nahid Islam presented the chief adviser with a commemorative post box and a book titled “Natural Beauty and Wildlife” as gifts.
