The 49th Independence National Day was observed throughout the country and Bangladesh missions on Tuesday, with rich tributes to martyrs of the Liberation War.
People from all walks of life paid tribute, particularly to our freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifices to free Bangladesh from the clutches of Pakistani occupation forces in 1971.
Thousands of people converged at the National Memorial in Savar starting early morning to recall the sacrifices of the martyrs with gratitude, and to take a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh.
The day was a public holiday.
The president and the prime minister also paid tribute to the martyrs of the war by placing wreaths at the National Memorial on Tuesday morning. The president first placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial, followed by the prime minister
Then both the president and the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the martyrs.
A smartly turned-out contingent of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force, presented a state salute on the occasion while bugles played the last post.
They were joined by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, ministers, advisers, parliament members, chiefs of the three armed services, freedom fighters, diplomats, and high civil and military officials.
Later, flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, laid another wreath at the National Memorial on behalf of her party.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stand in solemn silence, paying tribute to the martyrs of 1971 Liberation War, at the National Memorial in Savar on the 49th Independence Day, on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 PID
Deputy Speaker, Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia, and Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, also paid homage to the war heroes of 1971 by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar.
Wreaths were also placed by Jatiya Party’s Co-Chairperson, Begum Rowshan Ershad, and Secretary General Md. Moshiur Rahman Ranga.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, paid tribute to martyrs of the Liberation War, placing wreaths on the National Memorial with BNP Standing Committee Member, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, and Publicity Affairs Secretary, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie.
Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, Sayeed Khokan, and Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Atiqul Islam, also paid homage to the martyrs with separate wreaths.
The national flag was hoisted atop government and private buildings while government, semi-government buildings, and other public places, were decorated in celebration.
Different organizations around the country organized programs to remember the war martyrs and pay their homage throughout the day.
On Mar 26, 1971, Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared Bangladesh’s independence following the Pakistan military crackdown on unarmed Bangalis at midnight on March 25.
The call for independence was first raised on March 7, 1971, when Bangabandhu in his historic speech at Ramna Race Course Maidan (now known as Suhrawardy Udyan), urged citizens to join the struggle for independence.
“The struggle this time is for our freedom, the struggle this time is for our independence,” Bangabandhu said in his 19-minute speech.
People from all walks of life throng to National Memorial in Savar to pay homage to the martyrs of Liberation War 1971 on the occasion of Independence Day on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
After a nine-month bloody War of Liberation, the people of the country achieved their cherished independence on December 16, 1971.
PM pays tribute to Bangabandhu
The prime minister also paid tribute to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi.
After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of the independence, reports BSS.
With central leaders of the party by her side, Sheikh Hasina laid a second wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
President hosts reception marking Independence Day
President Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom hosted a reception on Tuesday evening at Bangabhaban on the occasion of Independence National Day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception on the Bangabhaban lawn.
The president and prime minister exchanged greetings with war-wounded freedom fighters and family members of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients.
The chief justice, cabinet members, deputy speaker, advisers to the prime minister, state ministers, supreme court judges, election commissioners, cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three armed services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, newspaper editors, senior civil and military officers, academics, diplomats, senior lawyers, business community leaders, artistes, and distinguished citizens, also joined the reception.
Celebrations across Bangladesh and beyond
Search engine giant, Google, also had a new doodle on its homepage, marking Bangladesh’s Independence Day.
National daily newspapers brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations, and television channels, aired special programs highlighting the significance of the day.
Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country, seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu, four national leaders, Liberation War martyrs, and all other patriotic children of the soil.
Special meals were served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes, and other public institutions, marking the day.
A host of political parties and organizations observed the day with programs.
Important buildings and establishments, city streets and islands, were aglitter with colourful lights.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and other social and cultural organizations organized discussions, cultural programs, a painting competition for children, a sports competition, and a documentary exhibition to mark the day.
