DHAKA, Dec 16, 2021 (BSS) - The 51st Victory Day, the most precious day of 
the Bangalee nation, was celebrated today across the country in a befitting 
manner. 

   On December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country 
under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur 
Rahman at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people and the 
honour of nearly half a million women.

  The celebration of the Victory Day this year added a new dimension as the 
day was celebrated coinciding with the two giant celebrations - the birth 
centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 
golden jubilee of the country's independence. 

  Marking the two celebrations, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh 
Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation 
Committee has taken a two-day special programme titled 'the Great Hero of the 
Great Victory' at the South Plaza of Sangsad Bhaban in the city on December 
16 to 17.

  At the beginning of the first day's programme today, Prime Minister Sheikh 
Hasina administered an oath to the nation this afternoon as part of the 
celebrations. 

  At the second session of the programme, a discussion was held with Prime 
Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. 

  President Abdul Hamid spoke at the meeting as the chief guest, while his 
Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind addressed as the guest of honour. 

  Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Liberation War Affairs 
Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and Chief Coordinator of the implementation 
committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury also spoke.

  On the occasion, Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana presented the 
"Sraddha Smarak- Mujib Chironton" to the guest of honour.

  All programmes marking the giant celebrations were held maintaining the 
health safety guidelines due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

  Besides, the programmes taken at national level marking the 'Victory Day' 
included a 31-gun salute, placing of wreaths at the monuments to pay homage 
to martyrs, and 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 included decorating city streets with 
miniature national flags and colourful festoons, and illumination of 
important buildings and establishments, roads and street islands at night.

   President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the 
martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at 
Savar this morning.

  This was followed by the family members of Bir Sreshthos and wounded 
freedom fighters and Bir Muktijoddhas.

 

Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life also paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War.

     Contingents of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force as well as Freedom Fighters, Para-military forces and law enforcement agencies participated in the parade held at the National Parade Square in the city. 

     President Abdul Hamid was present there and inspected the parade and took salute on the occasion, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the parade.

     Besides, a discussion on the best utilisation of digital technology and upholding the spirit of the Liberation War in building Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was held on the occasion.

     Receptions were accorded to valiant freedom fighters and family members of martyrs at city, upazila and district levels.

     Following the health guidelines, special prayers were offered at mosques and other places of worship, seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

     All children parks and museum across the country remained open for all and Liberation War-based movies were screened at the cinema halls at free of cost on the day.

     A poster exhibition and historical documentary screening was held at Swadhinata Stambha and Underground Museum at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.

    Similar programmes were taken at district and upazila levels as well as Bangladesh missions abroad, highlighting the significance of the day. 

     The day was a public holiday. 

     National dailies brought out special supplements on the occasion while Bangladesh Postal Department released memorial postage stamps. 

     The state-owned and private televisions and radios broadcasted special programmes highlighting the Liberation War.

     

     Marking the day, improved diets were served to inmates of jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.

    Besides, various political, social and cultural organisations, including Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum and Bangladesh Shishu Academy, celebrated the day with different programmes. 

     Ruling AL hoisted national and party flags at its central party office, Bangabandhu Bhaban and all the party offices across the country.

     The party also placed wreaths at the Savar national memorial and the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the premises of historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi 32 in the city this morning. 

     While an AL delegation paid tribute to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his grave at Tungipara in Gopalganj.