Shawdesh Desk:

A proud nation is celebrating golden jubilee of its glorious victory today, paying homage to the bright sons of the soil who made supreme sacrifices to liberate the country from the Pakistan occupation forces.

Bangladesh has made tremendous success in the last 50 years. The key figures behind this achievement are Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangabandhu has given us the red-green flag while his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to take the country to new heights by attaining economic emancipation, prosperity and continue to earn global recognition in major fronts.

When the month of December comes, people at home and abroad usually burst into festivities and recall their ancestors’ bravery and sacrifices made for the birth of the nation.

This day in 1971, the Pakistan occupation forces surrendered to the Bangladesh-India allied forces at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka after a nine-month war of independence.

On the occasion, the nation is paying glowing tribute to the brave sons who have laid down their lives for the country’s independence.

This year, gala celebrations of the golden jubilee of the country’s victory and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have doubled joy and enthusiasm of the people.

Marking the great occasion, elaborate programmes have been taken to celebrate Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bengalis.

The day’s celebrations begins with a 31-gunshot salute at dawn.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lead the nation in paying homage to martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar in the morning.

Political leaders, different socio-cultural organisations and people from all walks of life are placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar to pay homage the war heroes.

The countrymen are also paying rich tribute to Bangabandhu who struggled throughout his life for liberating the country from the clutches of the West Pakistan. Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force as well as freedom fighters, paramilitary forces, law enforcement agencies and different ministries will participate in the Victory Day parade to be held at the National Parade Square in the capital at 10:30am.

Apart from Bangladesh, five countries are taking part in the parade. Of them, India, Russia and Bhutan are joining the colourful parade with their contingents while the US and Mexico taking part as observer.

Marking the two celebrations, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee has chalked out a two-day special programme titled ‘the Great Hero of the Great Victory’ at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad.

At the beginning of the first day’s programme, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will administer an oath to the nation at 4:30pm today as part of the celebrations.

At the second session of the programme, a discussion will be held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

President Abdul Hamid will be present as the chief guest while his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind will be the guest of honour at the discussion.

On the occasion, Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana will present the “Sraddha Smarak- Mujib Chironton” to the guest of honour.

On December 17, a cultural function will be arranged on Sangsad Bhaban premises around 5:30pm.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on this occasion, urging the people to work for consolidating sovereignty and independence of the country.

In his message, the President greeted the countrymen living at home and abroad.

“…on the eve of the joyous victory day, I extend my sincere felicitations and warm greetings to my fellow countrymen living at home and abroad,” he said.

The head of the state recalled with profound respect the greatest Bengalis of all time Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman alongside paying deep homage to the valiant freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifice in the War of Liberation for the cause of country’s Independence.

He remembered with gratitude the four national leaders and the people of all walks of life, including the heroic freedom fighters, the organisers and supporters of the Liberation War, foreign friends, war-wounded individuals and members of the martyrs’ families, who directly and indirectly contributed to the victory of the country.

“The nation recalls their contributions with utmost respect,” he added.

In her message, the Prime Minister has extended her greetings and warm felicitations to the country’s people on the occasion.

“The 16th December is our great Victory Day. Bangladesh has completed 50 years of her victory. This is a glorious day of the Bengali nation. Responding to the clarion call of the Greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Bengali nation achieved ultimate victory on this day in 1971 after 23 years of intense political struggles and 9 months of blood-shedding War of Liberation,” she said.

The day is a public holiday.

The national flag kept hoisted at all public and private buildings across the country on the occasion.

Newspapers published special supplements while radios and televisions are airing special programmes, highlighting the significance of the day.

Special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship, seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country.

Improved diet will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.

The main thoroughfares and road islands in the capital have been decorated with miniature national flags. Besides this, important government buildings have also been illuminated.

The ruling Awami League has taken various programmes to celebrate Victory Day.

The national and the party flags were hoisted at all the offices of Awami League across the country, including the central office on Bangabandhu Avenue.

Other programmes include placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in the early morning, paying tributes to the portrait of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Bhaban, offering munajat and milad mahfil at the majar of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj.