DHAKA, Dec 13, 2023 (BSS) - The government has drawn up elaborate programmes to celebrate Victory Day 2023 on December 16 as the country was liberated from the clutches of Pakistani occupation forces after a nine-month bloody War on the day in 1971.
 
On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent state under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
 
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issue separate messages greeting the countrymen on the eve of the Day.
 
The day will start with 31 gun salutes at the dawn in the city on Saturday, said an official handout here today.
 
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar with the sunrise.
 
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 minister.

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 day is a public holiday.
 
The national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.

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. Bands of different forces will play music at various important places.
 
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 social and cultural organisations will organise Liberation War-based discussions, cultural events and drawing, essay and sports competitions for children and display Liberation War-related documentaries.
 
On the occasion of Victory Day, a discussion titled 'Upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and the best use of digital technology in building the Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' will be held at the national, district and upazila levels across the country.
 
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 in 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.
 
On the day, a documentary and poster exhibition on the history and heritage of the Liberation War will be organized at Swadhinata Stambha and Underground Museum at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.
 
Bangladesh missions abroad will observe the day with similar programmes.