President, prime minister attend Victory Day parade
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday attended the Victory Day parade, marking the Victory Day.
Different contingents of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force as well as freedom fighters, para-military force, law enforcement agencies and ministries participated in the parade.
The event, marking the moment the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces after a nine-month-long bloodstained war for liberation, was held at National Parade Square in the capital.
On this day in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after the sacrifice of the lives of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women.
The president took salute at the parade as chief guest, which was held under auspices of the 9th Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army, at the directives of Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and supervision of the armed forces.
During the time, the president was accompanied by Parade Commander and General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the division Maj Gen Mohammad Akbar Hossain.
The prime minister also enjoyed the march-past, fly-past and armoury acquisitions of different regiments and contingents on the parade ground.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Chief of Army Staff Gen Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Secretary-in-Charge of Liberation War Affairs Ministry M Arifur Rahaman were present on the occasion.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, cabinet members, PM’s advisers, parliament members, senior civil and military officials and their family members were also present.
People from all strata of life witnessed the over two-hour parade.
The parade displayed the continuous development of different civil and military organisations as well as socio-economic progress of the country. The spectacular fly past and aerobatic display of the MIG 29 and other aircraft of army aviation, navy aviation and Rab helicopter and parachute landing by army paratroopers enthralled spectators.
Modern and latest military hardware of the armed forces such as self-propelled guns, state-of-the-art ammunition plant, fourth generation tanks MBT-2000, armed personnel carrier, armoured recovery vehicles, multiple launch rocket system, medium tank T-69, ambush protection vehicle, anti-tank vehicle, armoured light vehicle, unarmed aerial vehicle, air defence gun, air defence missile system, weapon locating rudder SLC-2, petrol craft and defender class boat were also displayed during the parade. Vehicles of various ministries also displayed their development activities.
In addition, a contingent of the Indian Army took part in the parade for the first time.
Later, the president and prime minister exchanged greetings with senior military officials and commanders of various units. The parade ended with a fireworks display.
On the occasion, the National Parade Ground was decorated with the images of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
four national leaders and seven Birsreshthas.
On his arrival at the parade ground at 10:28am, the president was received by the prime minister, Mozammel Haque, chiefs of the three services, and PSO of the Armed Forces Division, among others. On her arrival around 10:25am, the premier was received by the minister, chiefs of the three services and the PSO.
VICTORY DAY RECEPTION HELD AT BANGABHABAN
Meanwhile, President M Abdul Hamid and his spouse Rashida Khanom yesterday hosted a reception at Bangabhaban, marking the country’s Victory Day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception, held on the lush green lawn of the President’s official residence in the afternoon.
Several thousand guests attended the function from 2pm to 4:30pm.
President Hamid and the prime minister exchanged greetings with wounded freedom fighters and other guests after the national anthem was sung.
The president and the PM also cut a Victory Day cake, while balloons were released on the occasion.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, cabinet members, advisers to the prime minister, Supreme Court judges, national leaders, parliament members as well as ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries were present on the occasion.
Senior lawyers, chiefs of the three services, senior political leaders, editors, journalist leaders, family members of Birshreshthas, artistes, cultural personalities, senior civil and military officers, academics, business community leaders, and distinguished citizens also joined the function.