Independence Day: President, PM pay homage to martyrs as nation celebrates
The nation is celebrating its 53rd Independence and National Day today in a befitting manner, with the resolution to take the country forward imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial here on the outskirts of the capital early this morning, marking the 53rd Independence and National Day.
The president first placed the wreath at the altar of the memorial followed by the prime minister.
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After laying the wreaths, the president and the premier stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971.
A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute at that time while the bugles played the last post.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will give separate messages on the occasion.
The day's programmes will begin by heralding gun salutes early in the morning as a mark of profound respect for the heroic struggle of this nation, which suffered a protracted subjugation under foreign rules from time to time till achieving their coveted Independence in 1971.
The national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings with the rises of the sun while all streets and important city intersections will be decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.
Bands of different forces will play music at different important points in Dhaka. Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands will be illuminated.
The National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar will be the main venue of the day's celebration. President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths early in the morning as a mark of profound respect for the memories of the martyrs.
People from all walks of life, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies, will also, lay wreaths at the national memorial in the morning of the day.
On the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam will host a reception at the Bangabhaban today.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join the reception on the lawn of the Bangabhaban at about 5pm.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air month-long special programmes on the Liberation War and highlighting the significance of the day.
Liberation War-based documentaries and movies will be screened at the cinema halls across the country.
Special prayers will be 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 Father of the Nation, four national leaders, martyrs of the War of Liberation and all other patriotic sons of the soil.
Improved meals will be served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanage centres to mark the day. The country's all children's parks and museums will remain open to all.
Ships of the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard will be kept open for the public at Chittagong, Khulna, Mongla and Payra ports and Dhaka's Sadarghat, Narayanganj's Pagla, Barisal and Chandpur BIWTA dockside from 9am to 2pm on the day.
Freedom fighters greeted by PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also greeted the freedom fighters (FFs) of the country marking the occasion.
As in the past, the prime minister sent flowers, fruits and sweetmeats to the war-wounded freedom fighters and members of the martyred families at Martyred and War-wounded Freedom Fighters' Rehabilitation Centre (Muktijoddha Tower-1) at Gaznavi Road Mohammadpur, Dhaka, as a mark of her good wishes for them.
Premier's Assistant Private Secretary (APS)-2 Gazi Hafizur Rahman Liku and Assistant Press Secretary ABM Sarwer-E-Alom Sarker handed over the items to them.
According to a media release of the prime minister's press wing, the war-wounded FFs and members of the martyred families thanked and expressed gratitude to Sheikh Hasina for remembering them on every National Day and festivals like the Independence Day, the Victory Day, Eid and Pahela Boishakh.
The freedom fighters expressed unwavering faith in the visionary leadership of the eldest daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and expressed satisfaction over the country's irresistible progress.
They specifically mentioned that the people's welfare is ensured as well as the freedom fighters and their families remain well when the government led by Awami League, which believes in the spirit of the great liberation war, is in power.
They also expressed their gratitude to the prime minister for providing increased allowances, medication facilities and accommodation to the freedom fighters.
The freedom fighters think that under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will one day earn the world's respect as a poverty-free, prosperous and self-respecting "Golden Bangladesh" as dreamt by Bangabandhu
They expressed gratitude to Hasina's leadership for presenting the correct history of independence to the new generation.
They also expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming development and progress of the country. They wished the prime minister good health and long life.
