The 52nd Independence Day was observed throughout the country and Bangladesh missions across the globe with due dignity and enthusiasm on Tuesday, paying deep respect to the Liberation War martyrs.
On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had proclaimed Bangladesh's independence, following a crackdown on unarmed Bengalees by Pakistani occupation forces on the midnight of March 25.
A crowd holding up the national flag stand in front of the National Memorial in Savar marking the 52nd Independence Day on Saturday, March 26, 2022 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneAfter 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.
People from all walks of life on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters and those who sacrificed their lives for Bangladesh’s independence.
Thousands of people, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war-wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, the speaker of the parliament, judges, senior civil and military officials and leaders of different political parties, had converged at the National Memorial in Savar since the morning to pay homage.
They recalled the courage of the martyrs with gratitude and took a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War to build a prosperous Bangladesh.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were the first to pay homage to the martyrs by placing wreaths at the memorial.
Afterwards, they stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the 1971 martyrs.
Prime Minister Hasina also paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mural in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi.
Later in the day, she unveiled a commemorative postage stamp on Salimpur Wireless Station, which was the site of Bangabandhu's declaration of independence.
The Tk10 stamp along with an opening day cover of Tk10 and a data card of Tk5 was also unveiled at the ceremony held at Ganabhaban.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the ruling Awami League placed a wreath at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj in remembrance of the day. A special prayer was also organized.
A group of young girls wearing Bangladeshi flag bandanas cheer in front of the National Memorial in Savar marking the 52nd Independence Day on Saturday, March 26, 2022 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneIn Dhaka, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and other senior police officials, laid a wreath at the Shaheed Police Memorial at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the morning.
Bangladesh’s national anthem was sung across the country and in Bangladesh missions abroad simultaneously to mark the day and in honour of the martyrs.
The national flag was hoisted at all government, semi-government, private, autonomous buildings at sunrise and all significant buildings, establishments and city streets have been illuminated.
Different state-run, social, cultural and political organizations also celebrated the day with elaborate programs.
National dailies brought out special supplements for the occasion. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private radio and television channels aired special programs highlighting the day’s significance.
Special prayers were offered at all mosques, temples, churches, and other places of worship across the nation seeking peace, development and prosperity of the country.
