Bangladesh steps into 51 years of its independence today. We attained independent and sovereign Bangladesh; a nation state through political struggles of 24 years and the Liberation War under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Fifty years ago on this day on December 16, 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent nation in the world map. On this day in 1971, Pakistani occupation forces surrendered after a nine-month war resulting in birth of free, independent and sovereign Bangladesh.
The surrender took place at the Ramna Race Course now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka following a miserable defeat to the joint forces of Mukti Bahini and Mitra Bahini. In one of the heinous acts of genocide in history, the Pakistan Army and their local collaborators had launched a barbarous crackdown killing innocent and unarmed people in the erstwhile East Pakistan at midnight March 25, 1971.
Therefore, on this august occasion we are also saluting the freedom fighters with due respect. The whole nation is also paying deep homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country in the Liberation War in 1971.
All the Victory Day programmes
should be observed maintaining
the health guidelines
It is a matter of pride for the Awami League that the political party, which led the freedom struggle, is in power on this auspicious occasion of the golden jubilee of the country’s independence. Therefore, this year’s celebration is completely very special to the country’s people as there is a special interest among them and they are taking part in all events.
Besides, the celebration of the Victory Day this year has added a new dimension as the day is being celebrated coinciding with the two giant celebrations - birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of the country’s independence.
With a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the hard-earned independence and democracy and eliminate the anti-liberation forces, the nation is celebrating the 51th Victory Day today.
Bangladesh is a respected name across the world today. Bangladesh’s representation in international forums, including various UN organisations is mentionable now. But we all must remain alert so that the way Bangladesh is moving fast today on the highway of development is not obstructed anyhow. Besides, we all have to be committed to removing all obstacles on the path of development.
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On this occasion, we expect apart from the government, country’s all people have to do everything necessary to ensure the civic and democratic rights of the people upholding the rule of law. We believe Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony and people of all religions and castes have been living here by maintaining mutual tolerance and will continue to do so in the future. On the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence, let us pledge anew – we will build the non-communal welfare Bangladesh of Bangabandhu free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy, being imbued with the spirit and ideology of the Liberation War.