With the rendering of the National Anthem-Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobasi-by over 2.5 lakh people from all strata at the capital city’s National Parade Square, the grateful nation celebrated the 44th Independence and National Day on Wednesday paying deep homage to three million martyrs of the Liberation War.
A new dimension was added to the celebration of the day this year as 2,54,681 people from all walks of life including students from different institutions, leaders and workers of different political parties and social-professional bodies and garment workers rendered the national anthem to secure a record in the Gunnies World Records.
The day was heralded with 31-gun salute in Tejgaon Old Airport area at dawn. The national bi-colour was raised atop all government, semi-government, non-government and private buildings in the morning.
The other programmes of the day included placing of wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar, Shikha Chironton (Eternal flame) at Suhrawardy Udyan and at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi, offering of prayers at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and all the places of worship seeking welfare of the state and its people,distribution of improved diets among the inmates of Freedom Fighters Centres, hospitals, jails, orphanages and old-age homes, discussions, cultural functions and illumination of important government offices.
Early in the morning, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on behalf of the state, placed wreaths at the National Memorial as a mark of respect to the martyrs.
The president and the Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for some time paying glowing tributes to the martyrs when the last post was played on the bugle and a smartly turned out squad of the armed forces gave guard of honour.
Later, Sheikh Hasina as the president of ruling Awami League, along with party stalwarts and party’s advisory council also laid wreaths at the memorial.
Leader of the Opposition Begum Raushan Ershad along with Jatiya Party leaders also placed wreaths at the memorial in the morning.
The Chief Justice, members of the cabinet, Prime Minister’s advisers, chief whip of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament), lawmakers, chiefs of the three forces, diplomats, high civil and military officials, war wounded freedom fighters, members of the Bir Shreshtras and martyred families and eminent citizens and senior leaders of Awami League were present.
Later, Sheikh Hasina as the president of ruling Awami League along with party stalwarts also placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi Road-32.
Party presidium member and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, advisory council members Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Suranjit Sengupta, general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Abdul Latif Siddiqui and Advocate Sahara Khatun and joint secretary Mahbub-ul- Alam Hanif were present, among others.
Hundreds of leaders and workers of AL, its associate bodies and other socio-cultural-professional bodies as well as people from all walks of life thronged on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum for their turn to place wreaths at the portrait the Father of the Nation marking the day. The day was a public holiday. Marking the occasion, important road islands and city intersections were decorated with national flag, miniature flags and colourful lights.
National dailies published special supplements while Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels and radio stations aired special programme highlighting the significance of the day.
Different institutions and organisations including Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Sector Commander’s Forum, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote and Nirmul Committee observed the day holding discussions, candle-light vigil, musical soirees,street dramas, painting shows and poetry recitation sessions.
Bangladesh Postal Department released a commemorative stamp marking the day.
The day was also observed at all the divisional and district headquarters and Bangladesh Missions abroad with identical programmes.
Since midnight yesterday, different units of Awami League and other organisations played on mikes the March 7 epoch-making speech independence of Bangabandhu delivered at the historic Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, and the immortal songs of the War of Liberation in observance of the Independence Day.
