The country will celebrate the 48th victory day today remembering the three million people who sacrificed their lives to carve out an independent country in 1971.
People from all spheres of life will pay their tribute to the martyrs with various programs chalked out by the political parties, administration, educational institutions and so on.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, paid homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to achieve the freedom.
The president in his message said that the 11th parliamentary election is being held in December, the month of our victory. In a democratic system, people exercise their universal franchise and choose their desired candidate via election.
He hoped that the people will elect honest, capable and patriotic candidates in the upcoming election and continue the development and advancement of the country.
“Let the glory of democracy be strengthened through the festive mood of election – it is my expectation,” he said in his message.
Sheikh Hasina in her message said: “Due to the continuation of Awami League government for 10 years, people at the grassroots are now enjoying the dividends of development. Bangladesh is moving forward and it will continue to do so. The next generation will reap the benefits of a prosperous Bangladesh,” she said.
The celebration will commence with a 31-gun salute at dawn and the president and prime minister will pay tribute at the National Memorial at Savar. The families of Birshresthas and freedom fighters will pay homage. Foreign envoys, various socio political organizations, and the public will also pay their respect.
Marking the day, the national flag will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous and non-government establishments and their premises will be decorated with lights. National flag will also be hoisted on several roads. Armed forces will play orchestra in several areas in the capital.
This year there will be no parades at the National Parade Square but parades will be held at all district and upazila headquarters.
“Bijoy-Mancha” (stage of victory) will be set up at upazila and district levels from the victory day to organize discussions on the Liberation War, photo and film exhibitions, documentary screening, and cultural programs.
The Dhaka University student and teachers body, political parties, and War Veterans have chalked out various programs marking the occasion.
On this day, the country won the nine-month long war as the occupational Pakistani forces surrendered and laid down their weapons at Ramna Race Course in Dhaka. The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave his historical March 7, 1971 speech there which led the country into the war of liberation.
