Bangladesh salutes heroes

The nation celebrates the 49th Independence Day today with patriotic fervour and paying homage to the freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifice for the independence and sovereignty of the country.
The sun of liberation rose over the horizon on March 26, 1971 with the proclamation of the independence of Bangladesh when the Bengalis took up arms against the Pakistani occupation military who committed one of the worst genocide in modern history during the nine-month Liberation War.
Bangladeshi people stood victorious on December 16, 1971 but also deeply wounded by the months of killing of over three million people, violation of over two lakh women and with about one crore people being forced to take refuge.
The day has been celebrated as Independence Day since 1971. In 1980, the government decided to observe it as the National Day as well.
People from all walks of life and ages will throng the National Memorial at Savar and other monuments across the country at daybreak to place wreaths amid beefed up security.
Gun salute, parade, discussions, cultural programme and others will feature as part of the celebrations of country’s Independence Day.
President Abdul Hamid and prime minister Sheikh Hasina in messages greeted and congratulations the Bangladesh people on the occasion of the Independence and National Day.
They also paid deep homage to the three million liberation war martyrs and over two lakh women who lost their innocence.
Describing different development activities of the government, the president in his message said, ‘Nevertheless, we have to go a long way for achieving the desired goals of independence. We must ensure good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability to make the development people-oriented and sustainable.’
He said democracy and development complemented each other.
‘Imbued with the spirit of the war of liberation and democratic values, let us work together irrespective of party affiliation to make our hard-earned independence more meaningful,’ he said.
Hasina also urged all to work together to advance the country’s development and democracy and build a non-communal, hunger-poverty-free and happy-prosperous Bangladesh
Both the president and the prime minister are scheduled for daybreak to pay homage to the heroes of the War of Independence at the National Memorial at Savar. 
A 31-gun salute at dawn will herald the day, with thousands of people flocking to the National Memorial commemorating the martyrs of the war.
Besides the dignitaries, families of the Bir Shreshthas, war wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies and people from all walks of life will also lay wreaths at the National Memorial. 
The president will also host a reception at Bangabhaban on the occasion.
The prime minister is scheduled to take salute at a children’s parade at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka marking the Independence Day.
The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be flown atop government, semi-government and private buildings. Government and private establishments will be illuminated. Improved food will be served at hospitals, jails, orphanages, vagrant homes, Muktijoddha Kendra and charity homes.
All major political parties, socio-cultural and professional organisations and educational institutions have taken elaborate programmes marking the day.
Buglers from the three services will perform in different city points and Navy ships will remain open to public in ports.
The government has tightened security across the country, especially in the capital and its suburbs, to foil any attempts at subversion.
Newspapers will bring out special supplements and television and radio stations will air special programmes.
Political parties, socio-cultural organisations, professional bodies and different institutes have taken detailed programmes to mark the day.
The ruling Awami League has taken a two-day programme.
AL will hoist the national flag and the party colours atop Bangabandhu Bhaban and all offices of the party across the country today in the morning.
AL leaders will place wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and at the portrait of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 6:00pm.
Then the central party leaders will place wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Mujib at in front of the Bangabhabandhu Bhaban at 7:00am. 
The party will place wreath at the graveyard of Sheikh Mujib at 10:00am. 
The party will hold a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party as part of its three day programme will hoist the national flag and the party colours atop all its offices and will bring out an Independence Day procession from its central office at 3:00pm on Wednesday. It held a discussion on Monday.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy and Liberation War Museum, Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity and others will hold programmes marking the day.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net