The nation on Wednesday celebrated the 55th Independence and National Day paying rich tribute to the freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifice in the War of Independence in 1971 to free the country from the marauding Pakistani military.
The government, political parties, Bangladesh missions in abroad, socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions, professional bodies, and other institutions and organisations celebrated the day with various events.
On early Wednesday, the celebration began with gun salutes as a mark of profound respect for the heroic struggle of this nation.
At first, president Mohammad Shahabuddin and chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus placed wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar.
Later, people from all walks of life, including members of advisory councils, the chief justice, families of Bir Shreshthas, war-wounded freedom fighters, and members of the diplomatic corps, placed wreaths at the National Memorial.
Different political parties and socio-cultural organisations, professional bodies, as well as people from different all walks of life, went to the memorial in groups carrying national flags, flowers, banners and festoons and paid their respects to the martyrs.
After paying tribute to the martyrs, environment, forest and climate change and water resources adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, ‘We will build a consensus going beyond the personal and party interests for the sake of the national interest.’
Each individual has different outlooks and perspectives, she said, adding that it would take some time to reduce the differences.
A process has, however, began to build a consensus on different reforms, she said.
‘I think it is a big issue for us to move forward with everyone together in it, while another issue is to hold a free and fair election and fulfil the expectations of the people.’ Rizwana added.
Youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said that the 2024 uprising revived the spirit of the independence and the independence would prevail in the days to come.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by its standing committee member Mirza Abbas along with party leaders and activists, paid tribute to the martyrs at the National Memorial.
‘There is no such thing as second independence in Bangladesh and those who want to undermine Independence Day had no role in the independence of 1971,’ Abbas said, mentioning that some people termed the uprising as second independence.
‘I would ask them to stop here and they should respect and honour Independence Day,’ he said, adding that the nation got a new taste of independence by ousting the autocracy in the student-people uprising.
Abbas also said, ‘The chief adviser said that the elections would be held in December. We want to keep our faith on that.’
The newly formed National Citizen Party, led by its convener Nahid Islam, paid tribute to the 1971 Liberation War martyrs placing wreaths at the memorial.
Nahid said that elections would not be accepted without reforms and trials of the perpetrators of the mass killings during the uprising.
There is no difference between 1971 and 2024; rather, the spirit of 1971 war of independence has been revived through the mass uprising 2024, he said.
The day was a national holiday.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and first lady Rebeka Sultana hosted a reception at Bangabhaban, marking the day.
The chief justice, advisers, ambassadors and high commissioners from various countries, Supreme Court judges and the chiefs of the three armed services, among others, attended at the reception.
The national flag was hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings with the rise of the sun on the day.
All streets and important city crossing were decorated with national and coloured miniature flags and festoons while important buildings and establishments were illuminated with colourful lights to mark the day.
National dailies brought out special supplements, while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and other social and cultural organisations organised various events, including discussions, cultural programmes and sports competitions.
Liberation War-based documentaries and movies were screened at cinema halls across the country.
Receptions were accorded to the freedom fighters and the members of martyred freedom fighters in cities and district and upazila headquarters.
Improved meals were served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanages.
Children parks and museums remained open for all.
Ships of the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard were kept open for the public at Chattogram, Khulna, Mongla and Payra ports and Dhaka’s Sadarghat, Narayanganj’s Pagla, Barisal and Chandpur BIWTA dockside from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Bangladesh missions abroad also celebrated the day through various programmes.
The nation marked the celebrations of the historic day as the nation’s nine-month-long War of Independence began on March 26, 1971, against the Pakistani military.
Secularism, democracy and socialism were the driving forces of the war of liberation, which the people of the country embarked on after decades of exploitation and misrule by then-West Pakistani vested interests.
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