Sagar Biswas :Today is Victory Day. This year, the nation is celebrating the 44th Victory Day amid a jubilant mood when most of the war criminals have been brought under trial. As the people celebrate the victory, all roads lead to the National Mausoleum in Savar to pay their gratitudeto the national heroes who had laid down their lives for their motherland.The independent and sovereign Bangladesh, as it stands today, is the outcome of a nine-month hard struggle of the people under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.The day will also be celebrated to commemorate the victory over the Pakistani Forces in the 1971′ Liberation War. On the day, Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, Commanding Officer of Pakistan Armed Forces based in the then East Pakistan, surrendered along with his forces to the Joint Commander of Indian and Bangladesh Forces Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora ending the nine month-long Liberation War. It’s a public holiday today [Tuesday]. A 31-gun salute will herald the day.The national flag will be hoisted atop of all government, semi- government, private offices and autonomous bodies across the country.Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate statements, greeted the nation on the eve of the Victory Day.The President and the Prime Minister will pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar early in the morning. They will be followed by freedom fighters, cabinet members, political leaders, foreign diplomats and people from all walks of life.BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in separate statement also greeted the nation on the eve of the day.The government has taken elaborate programmes to observe the day with due respect and festivities. Some important roads and road islands have already been decorated with miniature national flags, colourful festoons and digitized banners portraying the memorable moments and the portraits of the national leaders. Important buildings and establishments will be illuminated at night.Marking the day, a march past will be held at the National Parade Square at 10:00 am today where President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will take salute. Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh National Cadet Core, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP and Freedom Fighters’ Contingent will take part in the march past.Commanding Officer of 9 Infantry Division Major General Waker-Uz-Zaman will lead the march past, said ISPR. Besides, a children’s rally well be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium arranged by district administration. Children’s parks will remain open for all.Apart from it, the ruling Awami League, main opposition Jatiya Party, BNP, other political parties and cultural and social organisations have taken elaborate programmes marking the day.Special prayers will be offered in mosques and other places of worship seeking peace, progress and prosperity for the country. Besides, improved diets would be served in hospitals, jails and orphanages. Newspapers will publish special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and other private channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
