Nation pays homage to martyrs today

Different socio-political and cultural organisations will pay rich tribute today to the martyrs of 1971 through a host of programmes across the country marking the Victory Day.
The national holiday will be heralded with 31 gun salutes at dawn in the capital.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar in the morning and will stand in solemn silence for a minute to honour the martyrs.
Hundreds of people are also expected to throng the mausoleum to pay homage to the heroes who made their supreme sacrifices in the War of Liberation in 1971.
On the occasion, President Zillur Rahman will meet freedom fighters and distinguished citizens at his official residence at Bangabhaban.
The president and PM in separate messages extended greetings and felicitations to all citizens of Bangladesh at home and abroad.
Zillur in his message said the victory, made possible at the expense of countless sacrifices, is the greatest achievement for the country.
He said one of the main objectives of the liberation war was to achieve political sovereignty and economic self-sufficiency as well as building a nation based on equality and equity.
Hasina in her message recalled the sacrifices of three million martyrs and two lakh women who were immensely tortured in achieving the independence.
Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in her greeting said the people joined the freedom war with the vow to establish a country free from repression and deprivation.
Dhaka University teachers and students will celebrate the victory day through various programmes on the campus.
Nine socio-cultural organisations run by the students will arrange cartoon drawing of some local collaborators of Pakistani forces, celebrate the victory moment and hold film screening and dirt throwing on the cartoons of Razakars.
Programmes of Awami League (AL) include hoisting national and party flags at all the party offices across the country at 6:15am and placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum at 6:15am and at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7:15am.
Dhaka city AL will bring out a victory procession at 3:00pm.
BNP's programmes include hoisting national and party flags at its central office and placing wreath at the National Mausoleum. The party leaders will also bring out a victory procession from the central office at 2:00pm.
Manikganj district administration, Jubo League, Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Mukti Andolan, Bangladesh Human Health Development Trust, Asia Chhinnamul Manobadhikar Bastobayan Foundation, and Lemon24.com will organise different programmes on the occasion.