Nation celebrates Independence Day amid call to build poverty-free country

The nation celebrated the 53rd Independence and National Day on Sunday in a befitting manner, with the resolution to take the country forward imbued with the spirit of Liberation War.

On 26 March, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the night of 25 March by the Pakistani occupation forces.

After the nine-month Liberation War, with the supreme sacrifices of three million martyrs, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on 16 December, 1971.

The government took elaborate programmes marking Independence and National Day.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of Liberation War — placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar on Sunday morning.

President Hamid first placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial followed by the prime minister.

After placing the wreaths, the president and the prime minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs.

A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion, while the bugles played the last post.

Later, flanked by senior Awami League leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also chief of the ruling party, laid another wreath at the altar of the memorial.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Sunday morning.

On her return from the National Memorial, the prime minister paid homage to the Father of the Nation 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 Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh's independence.

The day began with a gun salute and wreath-laying ceremony at Savar's National Memorial in honor of the Liberation War martyrs.

At sunrise, the national flag was over all government, semi-government, private, and autonomous buildings, and all significant buildings and establishments were illuminated.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to Bangladeshi citizens at home and abroad.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the countrymen vowing to build poverty-hunger-free Smart and Sonar Bangladesh marking the 53rd Independence and National Day.

"Bangladesh is marching ahead on the highway of development. Let us build a poverty and hunger-free "Sonar Bangladesh" being inspired by the Father of the Nation's ideal. Bangladesh will be a smart country," she said in an Independence Day message.

She recalled with due honour all the martyrs including the great Liberation War ones on the occasion of Independence Day.

President hosts Independence Day reception

President M Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam hosted a reception at Bangabhaban marking the National Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception on the lawn of the Bangabhaban at about 5pm.

Besides, President-elect Md Sahabuddin, his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique attended the reception programme.

As many as 2500 guests were invited in the programme of the Independence and National Day reception after a long gap of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Of the invitees, cabinet members, advisers, state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant Freedom Fighters and family members of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens attended the reception.

Newspaper editors and journalist leaders also attended the gathering alongside top civil and military officials.

On the occasion, President Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cut a cake. They exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other dignitaries and guests at the function.

Later, the reception was followed by an iftar party.

Prior to it, a special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.