DHAKA, Dec 14, 2024 (BSS) - The nation is set to celebrate the Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bangalees, on December 16 (Monday) as the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on that day in 1971 after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation.
 
On December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women.
 
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will issue separate messages on the occasion, paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971.
 
The programmes marking the 'Victory Day' will include a 31-gun salute, placing of wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags atop all government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.

The victory day programmes also include decorating city streets and illumination of important buildings and establishments, roads and street islands at night.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will pay homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar on the outskirts of the capital with the rise of the sun on Monday.
 
They will be followed by the family members of Bir Sreshthos, wounded freedom fighters and other valiant freedom fighters led by the Liberation War Affairs adviser. 

Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life will place wreaths to pay homage to the martyrs.
 
The President will host a reception at Bangabhaban on Victory Day.

The day is a public holiday.

Important buildings and structures will be illuminated. Besides, important roads and road islands in the capital and other cities across the country will be decorated with national flags and colourful festoons. 

National dailies will bring out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day while electronic media will broadcast month-long special programmes based on the Liberation War. 

Different political, social and cultural organizations, including BNP, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy will organise Liberation War-based discussions, cultural events and drawing, essay and sports competitions for children and display Liberation War-related documentaries. 
 
Receptions will be hosted to freedom fighters and family members of martyrs at the city, district and upazila levels. 

Special prayers will be offered at mosques and other places of worship, seeking eternal peace of the souls of martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
 
Improved diets will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages, old-age homes and other similar institutions across the country.
 
All children’s parks and museums will be kept open for all without tickets and Liberation War-based films will be screened in the cinema halls free of cost across the country.
 
Similar programmes will be taken at district and upazila levels as well as Bangladesh missions abroad, highlighting the significance of the day.