A grateful nation pays homage to three million martyrs who sacrificed their lives to earn the much-cherished freedom on December 16, 1971.

The day will be celebrated across the country and at its missions abroad with a fresh vow to build a prosperous Bangladesh free from the curses of hunger, disparity and exploitation as dreamt by the martyrs.

Today is a public holiday. National flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government and other important establishments. The day will be heralded by 31 gun salutes at the dawn.

Tributes will be paid to the Liberation War heroes by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar in the morning. President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will lead the nation in offering wreaths at the monument.

The president, the prime minister and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the occasion.

"The spirit of the Victory Day should be materialised for ensuring the country's socio-economic and cultural development. At present our main goal is to achieve a self-reliant economy," reads the message of the president.

In her message, the prime minister paid tributes to the martyrs, saying "An armed struggle launched through the historic declaration of independence by Shaheed President Ziaur rahman successfully came to an end on December 16 freeing the country from enemy occupation."

In her message, the opposition leader urged all to take a fresh vow to build a democratic state by translating the Bangabandhu's dream of 'Sonar Bangla' into reality with the spirit of Liberation War.

On December 16, 1971, General AK Niazi, the chief of 93,000-men strong Pakistani occupation forces, surrendered to a Bangladesh-India joint command at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka following his defeat to the Bengali Mukti Bahini (guerrilla forces) in the March-to-December war.

On March 26 that year, the Pakistani armed forces indulged in one of the cruellest genocide committed in the annals of human history by killing at will the freedom-loving unarmed Bengali people in the then East Pakistan.

On the occasion of the Victory Day, special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country. Improved diets will be served at hospitals, jails, orphanages, child homes and vagrant centres.

The state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels will air special programmes while national dailies will bring out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

Fifty-eight armed forces personnel were awarded honorary commissions and promoted on the occasion of the day.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday inaugurated an 8-day display of military hardware marking the day at the National Parade Square in the city.

The ruling coalition leader, BNP, has planned to celebrate the Victory Day with hoisting of national and party flags at the party offices across the country, placing of wreaths at the Savar National Mausoleum and offering wreaths at the graveyard of Ziaur Rahman in the morning.

The BNP will bring out a victory procession tomorrow from Paltan area in the capital and will organise a discussion on the Victory Day on Saturday at Mahanagar Natya Mancha.

In observance of the day, the main opposition Awami League will hoist national and party flags atop all party offices across the country at 6:30am, place wreaths at the National Mausoleum and at the 'Shikha Chironton' at Suhrawardy Uddyan, garland the portrait of Bangabandhu and bring out a victory rally in the afternoon.

The AL will also organise a discussion on the occasion on the Bangabandhu Bhavan premises at 2:30pm tomorrow.

The left-leaning 11-party alliance will place wreaths at the National Mausoleum at nine in the morning. In a statement, the 11-party leaders urged people to unite to get the country rid of the anti-liberation forces.

Jatiya Oikya Mancha will hold a discussion at 4:00pm at its central office tomorrow with Dr Kamal Hossain in the chair.

The Liberation War Museum will conclude its weeklong Victory Day celebrations today with a recitation programme by children and juveniles and a cultural programme in the evening.

Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) today arranges a Victory Fair at its headquarters in the city's Motijheel area. Forty stalls at the fair will showcase handmade products.

Sammilita Sangshkritik Jote will bring out a colourful victory rally from the Central Shaheed Minar at 9:30am today.