Shawdesh Desk:

The government has taken elaborate programmes marking the Independence and National Day-2022 to be celebrated in the country on March 26.

The day’s programmes will begin with heralding gun salute early in the morning across the country including the capital, said an official handout.

Glowing tributes will be paid to the martyrs of the 1971 War of Liberation by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, outskirts of the capital, with the sunrise on the day.

The national flag will be hoisted atop all the government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings, including the easily visible buildings in the capital, with the sunrise on the day while important buildings and structures will be illuminated with lightings.

Main streets and road islands of different cities, including the capital, across the country will be decorated with national and other flags. Bands of different forces will play musical instruments on different important spots in the city.

The President and the Prime Minister will issue separate messages on the occasion.

National dailies will bring out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day. The electronic media are broadcasting various programmes based on the Liberation War throughout the month.

The day is a public holiday.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and other social and cultural organisations will arrange Liberation War-based discussions, cultural events, painting competition for children, essay and sports competitions and documentary and film screening.

Receptions will be accorded to the freedom fighters and the members of martyred freedom fighters at city, district and upazila levels, while Bangladesh Postal Office will release commemorating postage stamps.

Special prayers will be offered in all religious institutions across the country seeking peace, prosperity and progress of the country.

Improved diets will be served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes, ‘Shishu Paribar’, street children and children daycare centers, marking the day.

The country’s all children’s parks and museums will remain open for all at free of cost.

Ships of Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard will remain open for all from 2pm until sunset at Chattogram, Khulna, Mongla and Payra ports and also at BIWTA Ghats in Sadarghat Jetty in the city, Pagla of Narayanganj, Barisal and Chandpur.

Similar programmes will be taken at upazila and district levels and in all the Bangladesh missions abroad, highlighting the significance of the day.