Independence Museum opens to public today
March 25 massacre solemnly remembered in capital
The Museum of Independence, situated beneath the Swadhinota Stombho (the glass tower) on the historical Suhrawardy Uddyan in the capital, opens today for all marking the Independence Day.
The underground museum with over 300 pictures depicting Bangladesh's history in 144 panels will remain open from 9:30am to 4:30pm today.
However, its regular timing will be 10:30am to 5:30pm from Saturday to Wednesday, and 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, and it will remain closed on Thursday and government holidays, said Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor at a press conference yesterday.
Tickets to the museum, Tk 10 for adults and Tk 2 for children under 12 years, are available near the eternal flame inside the Uddyan, said Faizul Latif Chowdhury, director of the National Museum.
He said the Uddyan witnessed making of many histories including Bangabandhu's speech of March 7 calling to the nation to prepare for freedom and the surrender of the Pakistani occupation army on December 16, 1971.
After the press conference the minister inaugurated a photo exhibition on the Liberation War and Genocide 1971 on the complex premises, sprawling over 67 acres.
The cultural affairs ministry also arranged a day-long programme for today at the stage surrounding the Stombho where artistes will present patriotic songs from 7:30am to 9:00am and movies will be shown from 11:00am to 4:30pm.
PROGRAMMES COMMEMORATING MARCH 25 CRACKDOWN
A number of programmes were held yesterday in Dhaka on the March 25 crackdown in 1971, when the Pakistani occupation army launched a heinous attack on the sleeping citizens initiating one of the horrific genocides of the 20th century.
Theatre troupe Prachyanat staged a half an hour long street performance “Lal Jatra” on the Chhobir Haat premises at Shahbagh and then marched to the Uddyan singing patriotic songs.
Sammilito Sangskritik Jote also organised a candlelight vigil at Rajarbagh Police Lines where the first resistance struggle was attempted by police members when they were attacked on the night.