Bangladesh celebrates 50th Victory Day

Victory Day - President Abdul Hamid and PM Sheikh Hasina at Savar Smrity Shoudha, Dec 16 2021

Dhaka, Dec 15 - Bangladesh celebrates the 50th Victory Day on Thursday, the most joyous day when the country was born at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of martyrs and the honour of mothers and sisters, with elaborate programmes.

On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month-long war.

People from all walks of life have joined various programmes on Thursday to pay deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War 50 years back.

Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have taken up a series of programmes to celebrate the day. 

This year’s Victory Day has special significance as it coincides with the celebrations of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country's independence.

The day’s programme began with a 31-gun salute.

Tributes have been be paid to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar.

President Abdul Hamid paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar.

The head of state was, in fact, the first to place the wreath at the altar of the National Memorial around 6.30am, marking the 51st Victory Day, followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

After placing the wreath, President Hamid stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of deep respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force presented the state salute on the occasion, as the bugles played the last post.

The President also signed the visitors’ book kept on the memorial premises.

Sheikh Rehana, the younger daughter of country’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Prime Minister’s younger sister, was also present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar marking the 51st Victory Day.

Sheikh Hasina placed floral wreaths at the altar of the memorial around 6:34 am to pay homage to the great heroes of the country.

The nation is celebrating Victory Day with elaborate programmes paying deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War.

The president and the prime minister were followed by the freedom fighters and their family members, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life.

As part of the day’s programmes, a colourful parade was held at the National Parade Square in Tejgaon around 10:30 am.

Freedom fighters, members of the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies took part in the parade.

President Abdul Hamid took salute and inspect the parade as the chief guest while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was also present at the parade.

A two-day programme titled “The Greatest Hero of the Glorious Victory” began to mark the Victory Day along with the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence at the South Plaza of the National Parliament.

The National Implementation Committee for the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation has taken up the programme.

President Abdul Hamid will join the programme as the chief guest while Indian President Ram Nath Kovind will be present as the guest of honour at the programme on December 16.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the ceremony, where she will conduct an oath on these twin national events.

Sheikh Rehana, the younger daughter of Bangabandhu, will present ‘The Eternal Mujib’ memento to Kovind.

A commemorative volume on Father of the Nation will be unveiled during the programme.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq will speak at the event.

On December 17, a special cultural programme will be held in presence of the prime minister and other dignitaries at the same venue.

The national flag was hoisted atop government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices across the country.

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

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

Receptions are being accorded to freedom fighters and family members of martyrs in cities and districts.

Destitute children were allowed to visit the children’s park in the capital on the day free of cost. Improved diets were served in jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion.

In his message, the President has greeted the country’s people living at home and abroad on the occasion of the Victory Day.

"December 16th is our great Victory Day. On this day in 1971, we achieved our long-cherished victory after a long struggle and bloodshed war. This year, we are celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of Independence in a festive mood, which has added a unique dimension to the Victory Day celebration of Bengalees,” he observed.

Stating that the aims of the independence were to attain political sovereignty as well as people’s economic emancipation, the President said, “We shall have to give institutional shape to democracy in order to deliver the benefits of Independence at people's doorstep.”

He said the political parties will have to nurture the culture of mutual respect and tolerance of others’ opinions. “Let us contribute more from our respective position in implementing the spirit and values of war of liberation and take the nation towards the path of development and prosperity.”

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

She urged all to convey the spirit of the great Liberation War from generation to generation. “Let this be our pledge on this auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee of our victory.” - UNB