Staff Reporter :The nation celebrates the 46th Independence Day today (Saturday) with a fresh pledge to build a prosperous Bangladesh with equalopportunities for all to realise dreams of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to free the motherland from the then Pakistani occupation forces.This day (March 26) in 1971, the unarmed valiant Bangalees of the then East Pakistan burst into a flame to resist the Pakistani occupation forces, who unleashed the worst genocide in the world’s history to suppress them.Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country on December 16, the same year, with the surrender of the Pakistani occupation forces, who killed three million innocent Bangalees, perpetrated atrocities on two lakh Bangalee women and burnt down lakhs of dwelling houses across the country during the nine-month war.Today is a public holiday. The National flag will fly atop all government and private buildings while all streets and important city intersections will be tastefully decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands will be illuminated with colourful lights.The government has taken up elaborate programmes at the national level to celebrate Independence and National Day in a befitting manner.The day’s programmes will be heralded with a 31-gun salute early in the morning as a mark of respect to the heroic struggle of this nation, which suffered a protracted subjugation under foreign rules from time to time till achieving their coveted Independence in 1971.On the eve of the Independence Day, President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushan Ershad and Bangladesh Nationalists Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia issued separate messages calling upon the nation to uphold the spirit of the War of Liberation to fulfil the dreams of the valiant Freedom Fighters, who embraced Martyrdom for the cause of their beloved motherland.The nation will also pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and valiant sons of the soil whose supreme sacrifices freed the country from the bondage of Pakistani.Ruling Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party (JP), Workers Party, Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal (JSD), Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Gano Forum and some other political parties and their associate bodies have drawn up various programmes to mark the Independence Day.The National Mausoleum at Savar will be the main venue of the celebration of the day where President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths in the early morning as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs.Families of Bir Shreshthas, war wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies and people from all walks of life will lay wreaths at the National Mausoleum also in the morning.Meanwhile, tight security measures have been planned for putting a security blanket over the country, especially in the capital city and its suburb Savar for celebrating the programmes of the Independence Day today.Law enforcement agencies, including police and RAB, have been asked to remain alert across the country to prevent any untoward incident during different programmes marking the Independence Day.Check-posts will be set up at every entry and exit points for making the security foolproof. All entry and exit points of the capital are being monitored round-the-clock.RAB personnel will be stationed in close proximity of the check-posts and they will extend security assistance to the police, besides protecting all key point installations (KPIs) in and around the capital.A number of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed at the National Mausoleum at Savar to monitor the situation round-the-clock before and after the Independence Day programme. One-kilometre radius of the national mausoleum will be put under strict security watch.There would be elaborate traffic arrangements to facilitate the movement of VIP vehicles, invitees and general public to reach the National Mausoleum at Savar and Bangabhaban.A children’s rally will be held at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the morning. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the rally as the chief guest.National dailies publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day, and the electronic media will broadcast different programmes on the Liberation War.The Armed Forces Division will organize a weeklong display of arms and ammunition at the National Parade Square and different public museums and recreation centres would be remain open for children.Different social and cultural organizations, including Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Bangladesh Shishu Academy, will organize art and sports competitions, discussions and cultural programmes.Bangladesh Postal Department will release commemorative stamps on the occasion.Improved diets also will be distributed at hospitals, old homes, prisons and children’s homes.
