Bangladesh celebrates Independence Day

The nation will observe its 43rd Independence and National Day tomorrow (Tuesday), paying homage to the martyrs of the War of Liberation of 1971. On this day in 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formally declared independence and urged the Bengali nation to liberate the country from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation army. Unarmed Bangladeshis, who had been attacked and massacred by Pakistani soldiers, started an extensive bush war against the occupation forces. After the nine-month war with the supreme sacrifice of three million people and modesty of some two lakh women, the Bengali nation achieved the cherished independence on December 16, 1971. The day will be heralded with a thirty-one gun salute at dawn. Acting President Abdul Hamid Advocate and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar at sunrise. The national flag will be hoisted atop government and private buildings, while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places will be illuminated on the auspicious occasion. Road islands and dividers have been decorated with flags and colorful festoons welcoming he Independence Day. In the capital city, Dhaka Metropolitan Police took all-out security measures to maintain the law and order for smooth observance of the day. The day is a public holiday. Acting President Abdul Hamid Advocate, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia issued separate messages, greeting the country’s people on this solemn and joyous occasion. In his message, the acting President underscored the need for concerted efforts from all strata, irrespective of party affiliation to achieve the desired goals of independence and build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh.