A glorious day for all
The national flag was fluttering atop almost all buildings. People in red and green flooded many streets. Patriotic songs, played over loudspeakers, reverberated through narrow alleys and beside thoroughfares.
As light began to spread over the horizon in the foggy morning, thousands of people, irrespective of age and gender, headed towards memorials built in the memory of Liberation War martyrs across the country.
This is how the nation yesterday celebrated the 49th Victory Day, marking the moment the country was liberated from the Pakistan occupation forces after a nine-month bloodstained war for liberation.
Forty-eight years ago on December 16, 1971, the Pakistan army had surrendered to the Allied Forces of Bangladesh and India at the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in the capital.
The Pakistan occupation forces had launched a barbarous crackdown killing innocent people in the erstwhile East Pakistan at midnight past March 25, 1971.
The nation, under the paramount leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, finally clinched victory on December 16, after the sacrifice of the lives of three million people and the rape of nearly half a million women.
Different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations arranged a series of programmes to celebrate the nation’s glorious victory.
The government also celebrated the day with different programmes at national level.
The day began with a 31-gun salute, followed by rich tributes by President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, which symbolises the valour and sacrifice of the martyrs who laid down their lives for the emancipation of the nation.
A large gathering -- some with flags of green and red in their hands and some tying those around their foreheads -- was seen at the memorial.
“We dream of a better Bangladesh as cherished by martyred freedom fighters,” said Mohammad Rafiqul, a private employee, from Mirpur. He took his seven-year-old son with him to Savar.
“I have brought my child here today [yesterday] so that he can know the history of the Liberation War and the sacrifices made by the martyrs,” he said.
Jannatul Mawa, a fourth grader of a primary school in Savar, went there with her uncle.
“I have learnt from my books about the significance of Victory Day. Our freedom fighters are our pride. I have come here to pay homage to them,” she said.
Five construction workers also went there from Ashulia.
“When we were kids, we used to hear many stories from our parents that made us love our country and our martyrs more. We are labourers; yet we took a day-off to come here to pay homage to our valiant martyrs,” said Mohammad Alam, one of the five workers.
Some people said the country made significant progress over the years, but inequality and disparity still remain.
“We have to eliminate disparity and corruption from the society,” said Rashidul Alam Babu, general secretary of Pabna Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, who came along with his family members.
Before the memorial was opened for public, President Abdul Hamid placed wreaths at the altar. He was followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, reports BSS.
After placing the wreaths, the president and the PM stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the martyrs’ memories.
A contingent of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, and Bangladesh Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion when bugles played the last post.
Flanked by senior party leaders, Hasina, also the Awami League president, laid another wreath at the memorial as the party chief.
The day was a public holiday.
Parts of the capital wore a festive look on the day. Many buildings were illuminated. Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, and other religious institutions, seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, along with private TV channels and radio stations, broadcast special programmes while the newspapers brought out special supplements.
Bangladesh missions abroad also celebrated the day with different programmes.
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