Bangladesh is observing its 52nd Victory Day

PM Sheikh Hasina pays tributed to the martyrs of the War of Liberation at the National Memorial in Savar on early morning of Saturday Dec 16 2023. Photo collected.

Dhaka, Dec 16 - Bangladesh is observing its 52nd Victory Day today. On this glorious day in 1971, the nation came out victorious against the Pakistani occupation forces which surrendered after a 9-month-long bloody war.

The day’s programme began with a 31-gun salute. The national flag has hoisted atop government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices which have been illuminated in celebration of the day.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar early in the morning.

They were followed by freedom fighters and their family members, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organizations and people from all walks of life.

Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of several organisations and people from all walks of life placed wreaths to pay homage to the martyrs.

Alongside the government, socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organizations have taken up a series of programmes in celebration of the day. 

The Bangladesh War of Independence began on 26 March 1971 after the Pakistani armed forces attacked unarmed people of Bangladesh on the night before, instead of handing over power to people’s representatives in the November 1970 general elections. The victory came at the cost of three million lives when the occupation forces surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh Freedom Fighters and the Indian Army on December 16 that year. 

All children's parks and museums are being kept open to the public without tickets and cinema halls will screen films based on the Liberation War for free.

Documentary films are being screened and posters displayed on the history of Liberation War at Suhrawardy Udyan.

The day is a public holiday. National dailies have brought out special supplements on the occasion.

State-owned and private television channels and radios are broadcasting special programmes highlighting the significance of the Liberation War.

Receptions to freedom fighters and family members of martyrs have been organized at city, district and upazila levels.

Underprivileged children have been allowed to visit the children’s park in the capital on the day free of cost. 

Improved food is being served in jails, hospitals, orphanages across the country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued a message on the occasion.

In her message, the Prime Minister said the establishment of the nation-state Bangladesh through the victory of the Liberation War on December 16, 1971 was the greatest achievement of the Bangalee nation.

Responding to the clarion call of the Greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation achieved the ultimate victory on this day in 1971 after years of intense political struggle and nine months of brutal war, said the PM.

She said, “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib elevated Bangladesh to a least developed country, and we took the motherland to the row of developing states on the auspicious occasion of 'Mujib Year' and the golden jubilee of our victory.”

She urged all to spread the spirit of the great Liberation War from generation to generation — “Let this be our pledge on this Victory Day.” - UNB