Staff Reporter :With a renewed pledge to turn Bangladesh into a peaceful and non-communal country in line with the spirit of the Liberation War, the 45th Independence and National Day will be celebrated in the country on Thursday in a befitting manner.The day is a public holiday. And marking the day, 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 to suppress the popular uprising.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 (then Major) read out the message again from the same station. Maj Zia’s message was simultaneously picked up by different international media and it was quickly dispatched across the globe.The whole world witnessed the blood-birth of independent Bangladesh following a nine-month arms struggle and with the sacrifice of three million people.The Independence Day celebrations will begin with a 31-gun salute before dawn at the National Parade Square in the capital.President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lay wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar and stand in solemn silence for a few moments to pay respect to the martyrs just at sunrise. A smartly turned out contingent of the armed forces will stand at salute as the last post will play on bugles.Cabinet members, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the Chief Justice, MPs, senior leaders of the ruling party, chiefs of the Armed forces, diplomats, civil and military officials and freedom fighters will be present on the occasion.Besides, diplomats of the foreign missions also paid respects to the war martyrs. BNP, however, is still undecided whether its Chairperson Khaleda Zia would place wreaths at the National Memorial to pay tribute to the martyrs in the morning.President Abdul Hamid will host a reception for wounded freedom fighters, dignitaries, noted citizens and diplomats at Bangabhaban in the evening. Apart from other political leaders, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia have been invited in the occasion. Meanwhile, the government and non-government, political and socio-cultural organisations have drawn up elaborate programmes, including discussion, rally, procession, drama and jatra (folk theatre), photo exhibition, painting competition, candle-light vigil, musical soirees and cultural function marking the day. Thousands of people from all walks of life including families and relatives of the martyrs, victims of war crimes, freedom fighters, are expected to go the Liberation War memorials to pay their homage as the day breaks. Besides, hundreds of people along with different organisations will also place floral wreaths at Shikha Chirantan in the Suhrawardy Uddyan 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.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 and seeking divine blessings for the country’s prosperity.Security measures have been tightened for putting a security blanket over the country, especially in the capital city and its suburb Savar for celebrating the Independence Day today. Police and RAB personnel would keep close watch during the Victory Day programmes across the country so that the day can be observed smoothly.
