A celebration like never before

The country yesterday celebrated the golden jubilee of its victory,  arguably the most precious moment for Bangladeshis so far. This year's  Victory Day also brings with it a new dimension, as its celebration  coincided with another massive occasion -- Bangabandhu's birth  centenary.

Bangladesh became an independent country on December  16, 1971, under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu  Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after the supreme sacrifice of three million  people.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  paid tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing floral wreaths at  the National Memorial in the morning.

Later on, people from all walks of life thronged the memorial to pay tributes.

After  placing wreaths, top leaders vowed to build the country in line with  the spirit of the freedom fighters -- free of poverty, discrimination  and corruption.

A grand Victory Day parade was organised at the  National Parade Ground, where President Abdul Hamid took the salute. His  Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind joined the ceremony along with  Sheikh Hasina.

Military contingents from three foreign countries  -- India, Russia and Bhutan -- joined the parade for the first time  since Bangladesh's independence, alongside Bangladeshi forces.

The US and Mexico sent military observer groups, which also took part in the parade.

Contingents  of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force, freedom fighters, paramilitary  forces, law enforcement agencies, and various ministries participated in  the parade.

Marking the two celebrations, Birth Centenary  Celebration National Implementation Committee arranged a two-day special  programme titled "The Great Hero of the Great Victory" at Jatiya  Sangsad's South Plaza on December 16 and 17.

A cultural function will be organised today on Jatiya Sangsad premises.

Yesterday's  official Victory Day programmes began by placing wreaths at monuments,  and hoisting national flags atop all government, semi-government and  private

offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the  country.

Different parts of the country, including the capital,  wore a festive look. City streets were decorated with miniature national  flags and colourful festoons, and important buildings and roads were  adorned with colourful lights at night.

Like previous years, the  premier sent flowers, fruits and sweets for freedom fighters to the  Muktijoddha Complex at College Gate.

Awami League (AL), its  associate bodies, and different organisations paid tributes to  Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait at the capital's  Dhanmondi.

Sheikh Hasina specially paid tributes at Bangabandhu's  portrait in the morning. The PM's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was also  present.

After placing wreaths, the AL chief stood there in solemn  silence for some time, as a mark of profound respect to the memories of  Bangabandhu and martyrs of the Liberation War.

The premier yesterday released a commemorative postage stamp, marking the golden jubilee of independence.

She  also released a memorial postage stamp on the occasion of Bangabandhu's  birth centenary, and unveiled a logo inscribed with "Mujib's  Bangladesh", the brand name of Bangladesh Tourism.