On the 44th anniversary of Bangladesh’s liberation, the first all-female army contingent, led by Major Nilufar Sultana, marched in the Victory Day Parade at the National Parade Ground in the capital.
Another all-female contingent of police and paramilitary troops, led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Rebeka Sultana, also took part.
President Md Abdul Hamid took the salute from the armed forces and the police at the parade ground yesterday morning.
Freedom fighters, armed forces personnel, security organisations, flag contingents, an all-force all-female contingent, an Armed Forces all-female contingent and various ministries of the government marched in the colourful Victory Day Parade at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
A 27-member contingent of Indian veterans, who fought alongside Bangladesh’s freedom fighters during the Liberation War, also took part in the parade led by retired Lt Col Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi. The Indian war veterans arrived in the country on Tuesday after being invited by the Bangladesh Armed Forces to attend the Victory Day celebrations.
Like last year, the parade was commanded by Ninth Infantry Division General Officer Commanding Major General Waqar-uz-Zaman.
Around 10:30am, President Hamid was received at the parade ground by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq and the chiefs of the three forces.
Army, Navy, Air Force, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps, Border Guard Bangladesh, Police, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansar, VDP, Coast Guard, and Fire Service and Civil Defence forces participated in the parade, organised by the Ninth Infantry Division of the army.
The president inspected the parade and took the salute.
Thousands of people from all walks of life enjoyed the spectacular two-hour parade.
Major Mostafizur Rahman landed on the parade ground carrying the national flag after parachuting from an altitude of 7,000 feet.
Air Force stunt flyers demonstrated their aerobatic skill and offered cheering spectators a spectacular flypast.
Sheikh Hasina, Chief Justice SK Sinha, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Hussein Muhammad Ershad, Opposition Leader Raushan Ershad, members of the cabinet, members of parliament, senior officials of the armed forces, foreign dignitaries and prominent citizens attended the programme.
The Prime Minister’s Information and Communication Technology Adviser and son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul and Sheikh Rehana’s son Radwan Siddiq Bobby were also present at the event.
A huge portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was placed near the podium. The portraits of the four national leaders who died in the Jail Killings and portraits of the president and prime minister were also placed nearby.
Images of the seven Bir Sreshthos, soldiers who have received the country’s highest gallantry award, were placed around Bangabandhu’s portrait.
