The great ‘Victory Day’ of the Bengali nation is today, Friday, December 16, as on this day, 51 years ago, in 1971, Pakistani occupation forces surrendered after a nine-month war resulting in independent and sovereign Bangladesh.
The entire nation is celebrating its 52nd ‘Victory Day’ today through elaborate programmes in a befitting manner.
On December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971.
The programmes marking the 'Victory Day' include a 31-gun salute, placing of wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags atop all government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.
The victory day programmes also include decoration of city streets and illumination of important buildings and establishments, roads and street islands at night.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar on the outskirts of the capital with the rising of the sun.
These were followed by the family members of Bir Sreshthos, wounded freedom fighters and Bir Muktijoddhas while Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq will lead them.
Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life are scheduled to pay homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Combined forces will participate in a parade at the National Parade Square in the city at 10.30am where salute will be taken by President Abdul Hamid in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Today is a public holiday. National dailies brought out special supplements. The state-owned and private televisions and radios broadcasted special programmes highlighting the Liberation War.
Marking the day, improved diets are being served to inmates of jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.
Besides, various political, social and cultural organizations including Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, are also celebrating the day with different programmes.
Besides, receptions for valiant freedom fighters and family members of martyrs are being held in the metropolis, districts and upazilas.
Special prayers are being offered at mosques and other places of worship, seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
Similar programmes are being taken at district and upazila levels as well as Bangladesh missions abroad, highlighting the significance of the day.
The government has also drawn up elaborate programmes to celebrate Victory Day 2022.
On the occasion of Victory Day, a discussion titled 'Upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and the best use of digital technology in building the Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' will be held at the national, district and upazila levels across the country.
All children's parks and museums will be kept open for all without tickets and Liberation War-based films will be screened in the cinema halls free of cost across the country.
On the day, a documentary and poster exhibition on the history and heritage of the Liberation War will be organized at Swadhinata Stambha and Underground Museum at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.
Bangladesh missions abroad will observe the day with similar programmes.
