Independence Day celebrated with rekindled hope

The country yesterday celebrated the Independence and National Day with due solemnity and in a befitting manner.

This year, the spirit of March 26 was rekindled by a new force: the youth, inspired by the flames of the July Uprising. Their vision extends beyond mere victory -- towards a future free from discrimination, where justice and equality can flourish.

Each year, this day brings forth the most harrowing memories from the darkest chapter in the nation's history -- March 25, recognised as the "black night". The nine-month-long, bloody war that followed ultimately earned the nation the long-cherished independence on December 16 of that year -- but it came at the cost of immeasurable sacrifice.

In Dhaka, there was no Independence Day parade like in the last year. However, parades were held in the other districts.

From early morning, leaders of various political parties and social organisations, along with people from all walks of life, thronged the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, many clad in red and green. They carried the national flag, floral wreaths, banners, and festoons to pay their respects to the nation's heroes, whose sacrifices enabled the Bangalees to achieve an independent Bangladesh.

As the day progressed, the Shaheed Bedi (altar of the memorial) was filled with wreaths.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus pays his tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War on the Independence Day at the National Memorial in Savar yesterday. Photo: PID

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus paid tribute by placing wreaths at the National Memorial early in the day. He stood in solemn silence for a few minutes in memory of the martyrs.

A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force presented a state salute at the time.

After paying his respects, the chief adviser left the memorial premises, following which the National Memorial was opened to the public for paying homage.

Family members of Bir Shresthas, wounded freedom fighters, and other valiant liberation warriors paid their respects. Members of the Advisory Council and foreign diplomats also offered their tributes.

Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed paid his respects by placing a wreath at the National Memorial around 6:15am.

He was accompanied by Appellate Division judges Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, Justice SM Emdadul Hoque, Justice AKM Asaduzzaman, and Justice Farah Mahbub; High Court Division judges; and Registrar General of the Supreme Court Dr Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan.

Around 8:00am, BNP leaders paid tribute to the martyrs at the National Memorial. Among them were BNP Standing Committee Mmember Mirza Abbas, Chairperson's Adviser Aman Ullah Aman, and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed.

Leaders of the National Citizen Party, led by its convener Nahid Islam, also paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing floral wreaths.

NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib, and Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary were present, among others.