War heroes hand over nat'l flag to youths
In a symbolic transfer of the responsibility of safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty, 43 freedom fighters yesterday handed the national flag to as many youths in the hope that they would complete their unfinished work of building a prosperous Bangladesh.
The ceremony took place at the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan, where the Pakistani army with 93,000 soldiers surrendered to Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.
In 1971, the then youths gave their best to free their motherland, and now today's youths will uphold that dignity, said some freedom fighters and receivers of the flag.
Sector Commanders' Forum (SCF)-Liberation War '71 organised the ceremony, in celebration of the 44th anniversary of victory, and with the aim to inculcate the spirit of 1971 in the youth.
On the occasion, the ruling Awami League came up with the resolution to complete the ongoing war crimes trial and execute the verdicts, with the eventual goal of eliminating anti-liberation and communal forces in the country.
The day was celebrated by people of all strata of life through paying homage to the martyrs at the war memorials and through organising an array of cultural programmes.
Receiving the flag at SCF's programme, Ishrat Jerin Tisha, a higher secondary student, said, "Our forefathers gifted us an independent country. Similarly, we want to gift a prosperous country to our descendants."
"We, the youths, must remain alert and ready to make maximum sacrifices like the freedom fighters did in 1971," said Abu Bakar Siddique, a law student of Dhaka University.
Freedom fighter M Hamid said, "We want that our next generation grows up in the spirit of Liberation War so that they can uphold the dignity of our national flag."
"If we can't inject that spirit in them, militancy and fundamentalism may rise in our country," he said.
SCF Acting Secretary General Harun Habib said the next generation must be inspired to free the country form poverty, illiteracy, corruption and militancy.
In his speech, SCF Chairman KM Shafiullah demanded acceleration of the war crimes trial and immediate execution of the convicts.
The programme also featured patriotic songs, poems, and dramas.
AL PROCESSION
The Dhaka city unit of AL brought out a huge procession from Shikha Chiranton near the Institution of Engineers, which paraded through Shahbagh, Elephant Road, Science Laboratory, Mirpur Road, Kalabagan, and Russell Square before reaching the party chief's Dhanmondi office.
The march was joined by thousands of activists from the party's associated bodies including Jubo League, Mohila League, Mohila Jubo League, Sramik League, Swechchhasebak League, and inflicted immense sufferings on commuters because of the traffic chaos it created.
The participants carried national flags, replicas of tanks, guns, fighter planes and boats, placards and banners, and demanded banning of Jamaat-e-Islami and elimination of Razakars.
Huge posters and banners in favour of many aspiring candidates in the Dhaka City Corporations elections, which might take place in a few months, were also seen.
MARTYRS RECALLED
Different government and non-government, social and cultural organisations celebrated the day through elaborate programmes including discussions, rallies, processions, plays, photo exhibitions, and painting competitions.
Border Guard Bangladesh held a doa mahfil, and placed wreaths at "Shimanto Gaurab" in Pilkhana.
Alluding to Jamaat, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, which is holding a six-day programme on December 13-18, demanded punishment for the political party involved in war crimes.
Alongside other organisations and individuals, Amra Muktijoddhar Sontan placed a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar, outside Dhaka, and demanded banning of Jamaat.
The Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies of Dhaka University arranged a poster exhibition and cultural programme, and called for the quick execution of Jamaat leader Kamaruzzaman, who was sentenced to die for war crimes.
Maulana Bhasani Science and Technology University, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Gobeshona Parishad, and Zaker Party held different programmes to mark the day.
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