Bangladesh observes Independence Day
Bangladesh on Tuesday observed the nation’s Independence Day and the National Day with due solemnity and enthusiasm.
People from all walks of life paid rich tribute to the Liberation War heroes at the National Memorial at Savar to mark the Independence Day.
After paying their tribute, common people and politicians opined that the country went through a nine-month-long war for democratic values, but many of them have not been achieved.
The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member, Abdul Moyeen Khan, after paying tributes at the National Memorial, said that the ‘targets and ideals’ of the liberation war were not achieved.
He alleged that the present government did not believe in democracy and established a ‘one-party rule’.
The ruling Awami League general secretary, Obaidul Quader, however, said, ‘Today, after so many years, we have to think about the undemocratic communal forces of this country that still is creating obstacles to our victory and our independence.’
‘Our oath of today is that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we will defeat the BNP-led communal evil forces,’ he said.
Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki alleged that the government had snatched people’s rights, including their voting rights.
On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by the Pakistani occupation forces.
After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and at the cost of sufferings like rape and torture of two lakh women, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971.
The day was a public holiday.
In the morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the Independence Day-- also the National Day.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck also paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War at Savar.
They paid their homage by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar on Tuesday morning, marking the day.
Representatives of parliament, the Speaker, chief justice, ministers, advisers, senior politicians, leaders of the AL-led 14-party alliance, members of parliament, valiant freedom fighters, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, representatives of different development partners and high civil and military officials, among others, were present there.
Freedom fighters and their families, cultural organisations and non-government, and educational institutions placed floral wreaths paying tribute to the martyrs of 1971.
Different political organisations, including the Awami League, the BNP, the Jatiya Party, the Workers Party of Bangladesh, the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Ganosamhati Andolan, and other socio-political and cultural organisations also paid tribute to the martyrs, marking the day.
On her return from the National Mausoleum in Savar, the Prime Minister paid homage to Sheikh Mujib by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka.
After placing the wreath, she stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Sheikh Mujib, the architect of Bangladesh’s independence.
Sheikh Hasina stayed at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum for some time.
Flanked by central leaders of the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, president of the party, laid another wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Mujibon behalf of AL.
Later, the PM released a commemorative stamp on the Independence Day.
The national flag was hoisted atop government and private buildings while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places were illuminated.
National dailies published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private radio and television channels aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Special prayers were offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country, seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation, four national leaders, martyrs of Liberation War and all other patriotic sons of the soil.
Special food was distributed at institutions like hospitals, jails, child care and old age homes and day care centres.
Children’s parks, museums remained open for all throughout the day. Also vessels of the Bangladesh Navy and the Coast Guard were opened from 9 am till 2 pm for people to visit at Chattogram, Khulna, Mongla, Payra port, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority terminals in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Barishal and Chandpur.
Similar programmes at district, upazila level, and Bangladesh embassies in different countries were arranged to highlight the significance of the Independence Day.
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