Nation celebrates Victory Day

The children of freedom fighters under the banner of Amra Muktijoddhar Santan stage a token hunger strike on the National Memorial premises at Savar for about two hours yesterday, demanding execution of the rest of the war criminals. The paper cut-outs they held aloft represent the persons convicted for crimes against humanity in 1971. Photo: Anisur Rahman

People from all strata of life celebrated the 43rd Victory Day across the country yesterday, paying tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from the Pakistani occupation force in 1971.
In Chittagong, people carrying the national flag and holding colourful banners placed wreaths at the Chittagong Central Shaheed Minar in memory of the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Different socio-political and cultural organisations as well as the city administration also placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar, says our Chittagong correspondent.
Many programmes, including cultural and blood donation events, were organised by several organisations at different points of the city.
The district administration held a display at MA Aziz Stadium to mark the day.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered at Gonojagoron Mancha, Chittagong in Jamal Khan area and sang the national anthem.
Local cycling groups -- Adventure Club of Chittagong and Foring -- jointly brought out a colourful cycle procession.
Old Fauzians' Association organised a drawing and painting competition with the theme of Liberation War.
Muktijuddher Bijoy Mela Parishad and Awami League and BNP city units also brought out separate processions to mark the day.
People in Barisal urged all to unite and resist the anti-liberation forces while observing the Victory Day yesterday, says our Barisal correspondent.
Like Chittagong, programmes were arranged by different organisations to celebrate the Victory Day.
Barisal Reporters Unity arranged a daylong programme, including a photo exhibition, on its premises.
Barisal Sangskritik Sangathan Samannay Parishad, a platform of 26 cultural organisations, arranged a three-day programme that began yesterday at Barisal Shaheed Minar. The programme includes recitations, dramas and dances.
Barisal Islamia College also organised a daylong programme on its premises.
The district administration and Muktijoddha Sangsad arranged a discussion at Ashwini Kumar Hall.
A friendly football match was held at Bangabandhu Udyan in the morning to begin the Victory Day celebrations.
BSS from Rajshahi adds, different Shaheed Minars including the ones in Rajshahi College, Talaimari, Rajshahi University, Police Line and Collectorate Building, were filled with wreaths placed by several political, socio-cultural, and other organisations, volunteers and people from all strata of life.
Like other divisions, the celebration also started here with a 31-gun salute at local Police Line Parade Ground at a minute past midnight.
Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Mosaddeque Hossain Bulbul placed wreaths at Bhuban Mohan Park while from early morning, streams of people started thronging into the Shaheed Minars.

Green-and-red clad schoolchildren perform at MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong city as part of the Victory day celebrations yesterday, organised by the district administration. Photo: Star

The national flag was also hoisted atop all public and private buildings while the islands of roads, educational institutions and other buildings were illuminated and decorated with posters and banners.
A colourful march-past was organised at district stadium with participation of police, Ansar-VDP, fire service, BNCC, scouts, girls guide, students and members of different orphanages and cultural organisations.
Divisional Commissioner Helaluddin Ahmed, RMP Commissioner Barrister Mahbubur Rahman and Deputy Commissioner Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury hoisted the national flag and took salutes in the march-past.
Documentary films on the life and contributions of Bangabandhu, the Liberation War and successes of the incumbent government were screened at different places.
Special foods were served to inmates of hospitals, jails, vagabond centres, orphanages and shelter homes for the elderly people.
Various educational institutions, including Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi Medical College and Rajshahi Education Board also chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day.
BSS from Rangpur adds, people of all walks of life in the division also observed the Victory Day with unprecedented enthusiasm following war criminal Quader Mollah's execution.
In Rangpur district, the celebration began at zero hours with a 31-gun salute at Police Line Ground and placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar and Swadhinota Smritistambha 'Arjan' in the city.
Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Dilwar Bakht, Commissioner Farid Ahammad, Police Super Abdur Razzaque and Rangpur City Corporation councillors were the first to place wreaths.
Later, leaders of different political and socio-cultural parties, including AL, JSD, BSD, CPB, and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad paid their tribute to the martyrs.
A march-past was also organised at Rangpur Stadium where police, Ansar, and members of different law enforcing agencies participated.
The District Information Office screened documentaries on the Liberation War in different cinema halls and Town Hall auditorium in the city.
Veteran freedom fighters and relatives of many martyrs were accorded receptions on the Central Shaheed Minar premises.
Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs, and progress of the nation.
Besides, a month-long Bijoy Mela, sponsored by Rangpur Cantonment Board, has been organised near Senakunja Community Centre.
The Victor Day was also observed in the same befitting manner in districts, including Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari.
BSS adds: Gitanjali Lalitakala Academy of Uttara in the capital  arranged discussions, musical soiree and staged drama to celebrate Victory Day.
Noted cultural personality and ex-civil servant MA Awal, Jaganath University English department professor Nasiruddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Directyor & Chief Editor Azizul Islam Bhuyian and Academy Founder Director Mahbub Amin Mithu, among others, took part in the discussion.