The 44th Independence and National Day will be cerebrated in the country today [Wednesday] in a befitting manner with renewed pledge to make it free from terrorism and militancy, and promote democracy in line with the Liberation War spirit.This year, the Independence Day celebrations will take a different look with the mega event “Lakho Kanthe Sonar Bangla” [Sonar Bangla By Millions] at National Parade Square, where 300,000 people will sing national anthem to set a new world record.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged all to sing the national anthem from their respective places and positions to make the event historic.Marking the day, the Independence Award 2014 [Swadhinata Purashkar], the highest national award, has already been given to nine distinguished personalities and a renowned organisation recalling their outstanding contributions during Liberation War. The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted atop government buildings, commercial offices including corporate bodies, banks and leading business houses.In the small hours of March 26, 1971, the Pakistani occupation forces unleashed attacks on unarmed civilians in Dhaka of the then East Pakistan [now People’s Republic of Bangladesh] to suppress the uprising of Bengali Nation.Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on the same night before his arrest, issued a proclamation of independence which the then Chittagong AL president MA Hannan read out on the following day from Chittagong radio station.Later, on March 27, Major Gen Ziaur Rahman [the then Major] read out the message again from the same station. Major Zia’s message was simultaneously picked up by different international media and it was quickly dispatched across the globe.The people, who had witnessed the night of bloodshed in Dhaka, regained the courage to wage a war having heard the declaration of independence from an army officer. The whole world witnessed the blood-birth of independent Bangladesh following a nine-month arms struggle and loss of three million lives.The 44th Independence Day celebrations will begin with a 31-gun salute before dawn in the capital city Dhaka.President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lay wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar just at sunrise and stand there in solemn silence for a few moments to pay respect to the martyrs. A smartly turned out contingent of the armed forces will pay salute at that time while the last post will be played on bugles.Cabinet members, speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the chief justice, MPs, senior leaders of the ruling party, chiefs of the security forces, civil and military officials and freedom fighters will be present on the occasion. Opposition Leader Begum Raushan Ershad, accompanied by senior leaders of her party, will place wreaths at the National Memorial in the morning. Besides, diplomats of the foreign missions also will pay respect to the war martyrs.Later, the PM Sheikh Hasina will join the mega event “Lakho Kanthe Sonar Bangla at National Parade Square as the chief guest.On the other hand, President Md Abdul Hamid will host a reception for wounded freedom fighters, dignitaries, noted citizens and diplomats at Bangabhaban in the evening. The PM will also attend it.In a message, the President has greeted the countrymen and paid deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the War of Liberation in 1971. He urged all countrymen at home and abroad to work unitedly imbued with the spirit of War of Liberation to expedite overall development and democratic advancement of the country.”We have to go a long way for achieving the desired goals of Independence and building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. I believe concerted efforts from all strata irrespective of party affiliation are imperative in this regard,” he said.In a separate message PM, also President of Bangladesh Awami League, has urged the countrymen to face any ill attempt against independence and democracy. “The conspiracy of the anti-liberation communal and anti-democratic forces is continuing to ruin the constitution,democracy and development activities of the government. On this auspicious day, I urge the countrymen to fight any ill attempt against independence and democracy,” she said.In a message BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia said: “A deep-rooted conspiracy is going on to make the country into vassal state. A vested quarter comprising local and foreign conspirators is engaged to foil the hard-earned independence. I urge all to remain on guard to foil their evil design.” Meanwhile, thousands of people from all walks of life including families and relatives of the martyrs, victims of war crimes, freedom fighters, will gather at the Liberation War memorials across the country to pay their homage.Different organisations will also place floral wreaths at Shikha Chirantan at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.The historic 7th March speech by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and patriotic songs will be played at public places all around the capital and across the country while important offices, establishments, city streets and islands will be illuminated with colourful lights.The state-owned Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels will broadcast special programmes and newspapers will bring out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.Special prayers will be offered at religious centres across the country for the eternal peace of the martyrs seeking divine blessings for the country’s prosperity.The AL has taken 2-day programme to observe the Independence Day. It includes hoisting of the national flag and party flag at the Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices across the country at dawn.Moreover, placing of wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar at 6 am and at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi at 7 am and taking part in the mass rendering of the national anthem at the National Parade Square are also included in its programme.Other political parties including BNP have also chalked out various programmes for celebrating the day.
