Nation set to celebrate 47th Victory Day Saturday

Desk Report: The nation is set to celebrate Saturday the 47th Victory Day, marking the most precious day when the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation.

Forty-six years back on December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of the Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and for the supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the eve of the Day.

The President said Bangladesh is now being considered as a role-model in the world for socio-economic development.

These have been possible due to intellectual-mind, tireless hard work and undaunted courage of our people, he added.

"16 December is our victory day, a glorious and memorable day in the history of the Bangali nation. On the eve of the day, I extend my sincere felicitations and warm congratulations to my fellow countrymen living at home and abroad," the President added.

The Prime Minister urged all to come and uphold the development and democratic spree being imbued with the spirit of the freedom struggle.

"Let us engage ourselves for the welfare of the country. Let this be our vow on the Victory Day of 2017," she said.

She extended her sincere greetings and warm felicitations to the countrymen at home and abroad on the occasion of the 47th Victory Day.

On this glorious day, she paid her deep homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Prime Minister recalled with gratitude the four national leaders and three million martyrs, who sacrificed their lives and two hundred thousand women who lost their innocence for the cause of our independence.

Different political parties including Awami League, Jatiya Party, JSD, CPB, Workers Party and Gono Forum have chalked out various programmes in observance the day.

Besides, different socio-cultural-professional bodies and institutions including Dhaka University, Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh Tourism (Parjatan) Corporation and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote will observe the day with elaborate programmes.

This year the celebration has reached a new height following the UNESCO's recognition of Bangabandhu's historic 7th March Speech as part of the world's documentary heritage.

The UNESCO on October 30 announced the prestigious acknowledgement to one of the world's most glorious speeches, through which Bangabandhu effectively decelerated the country's independence in a mammoth public rally at Ramna Racecourse ground (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka on March 7, 1971.

The speech provided inspiration to the Bengali nation in their quest for freedom and energised freedom fighters for freeing the country through the nine-month War of Liberation.

With the immense joyfulness for UNESCO's recognition and everlasting encouragement of the historic speech, the nation this year will be celebrating the Victory Day with much enthusiasm and fanfare and renewing the vow for safeguarding the country's independence and upholding persistently the spirit of the War of Liberation.

Different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the nation's glorious victory over the Pakistani occupation force.

The government has taken elaborate programmes to celebrate the Day at the national level on December 16.

The day will start with 31 gun salutes. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreath at the National Mausoleum at Savar with the rise of the sun.

They will be followed by the freedom fighters and their family members, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life.

Marking the day, a colorful parade will be held at National Parade Square in the Old Airport area with the participation of armed forces. The President will take salute as chief guest at the parade. The Prime Minister will be present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay tribute to Father of the Nation by placing wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at the historic Dhanmondi 32 in the city.

Awami League and its associate bodies, different educational institutes and socio-cultural and professional organisations will also pay homage to the supreme leader of the War of Liberation by placing garlands at his portrait.

The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted atop government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.

Important buildings and establishments will be illuminated at night. Important roads and road islands will be decorated with miniature national flags and colourful festoons.

National dailies will bring out special supplements.

The state-owned and private televisions and radios will broadcast month-long special programmes highlighting the Liberation War. Different organisations will organise discussion and display Liberation War related documentary.

Receptions will be hosted to freedom fighters and family members of martyrs at city, district and upazila levels.

Special prayers will be offered in mosques and other places of worship, seeking salvation of the souls of martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

Improved diets will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.

Destitute children will be allowed to visit children's parks and other recreational centres across the country free-of-cost.

Bangladesh missions abroad will observe the day through different programmes._BSS

risingbd/Dhaka/December 15, 2017/A K Azad