Nation celebrates 46th Victory Day

Braving a chilly weather in the morning, thousands of people from all walks of life thronged the National Memorial at Savar to pay their glowing tributes to the worthy sons of the soil. 

Carrying banners, wreaths, follower petals and wearing head bands inscribed with the slogans of the Victory Day, thousands of people from all strata converged near the National Memorial since dawn. 

The day was heralded with a 31-gun salute at the National Parade Square at dawn.

Other programmes of the day included hoisting of the national flag on top of all national and private institutions, placing of wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar, decorating the road-islands tastefully, discussions, cultural soirees, rendering of the National Anthem by millions of people and illumination at night. 

Besides, special prayers were offered at all the places of worships across the country for eternal peace of the souls of the martyrs of the Liberation War.

President Abdul Hamid paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar this morning. 

The President placed the wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at 6.34 am.

After placing the wreath, the President stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation of 1971.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar this morning. 

After placing the wreaths, the premier stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation of 1971. 

Members of the cabinet, advisers to the prime minister, parliament members , chiefs of the three services, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, laid another wreath at the National Memorial as the party chief. 

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam, Railways Minister Mazibul Haque, Prime Minister's Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia, AL Presidium Member Dr Abdur Razzak and Joint Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, among others, were present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the 46th Victory Day. 

The premier paid the homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi here this morning. 

Meanwhile, the prime minister released five commemorative stamps, two first day covers, two data cards and a souvenir marking the 46th Victory Day today. 

She released the stamps, first day covers, data cards and souvenir, issued by Bangladesh Post Office, at her official Ganobhaban residence here this morning. A special canceller was used on the occasion. 

President Abdul Hamid inspected parade and took salute marking the 46th Victory Day. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the parade held at National Parade Ground arranged and conducted by Nine Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army.

Abdul Hamid accompanied by parade commander Maj Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, riding on an open jeep inspected the Victory Day Parade and took salute. 

Thousands of people from all walks of life witnessed the spectacular two-hour parade.

President Abdul Hamid accompanied by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also exchanged greeting with the contingents leaders took part in the parade. 

The parade ground was decorated with the images of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, President Abdul Hamid, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, four national leaders and seven Birshreshthas. 

Former President and PM's special envoy HM Ershad, cabinet members, the deputy speaker, the CEC, foreign diplomats, freedom fighters, senior civil and military officers, were present. 

A total of 27 war heroes from India and a delegation from Russian Armed Forces also attended the event.

Leaders and workers of Awami League, its associate bodies and other likeminded political and social-cultural organisations today paid their rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

They paid tribute by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city marking the 46th Victory Day. 

As the memorial was opened to public after departure of the President and the Prime Minister, thousands of people thronged there to pay homage to the martyrs and the pouring-in of people at the memorial continued throughout the day. 

Leaders of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance, war wounded freedom fighters and families of the freedom fighters also placed wreaths at the memorial. 

Dhaka University led by its vice-chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, Workers Party led by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Dhaka Reporters Unity led by its president Shakhawat Hossain Badsha and general secretary Mursalin Nomani and leaders of other political parties and organisations placed wreaths at the memorial marking the day.

Speakers at a discussion today called for projecting real history of War of Liberation to the young generation to develop a sense of patriotism for their motherland. 

Ideal School and College, Motijheel, organized the discussion on the occasion of the 46th Victory Day. 

Principal of the School and College Dr Shahan Ara Begum, assistant headmaster M. A. Salam, Councilor of Word-10 of Dhaka South City Corporation Md Maruf Ahmed Mansur, teachers and members of the governing body of the school, among others, addressed the discussion.

The day was a public holiday. 

National dailies published special supplements and Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and private sector TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. 

Different political parties including Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, JSD, CPB, Workers Party, Gono Forum, celebrated the day with separate extensive programmes. 

Besides, different socio-cultural-professional bodies and institutions including Dhaka University, Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Sector Commanders Forum, Liberation War Museum, Chhayanaut, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh Tourism (Parjatan) Corporation and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote observed day with elaborate programmes tomorrow.

News: BSS