The nation celebrates the 54th Independence and National Day today in a befitting manner, commemorating the declaration of the country’s independence from the clutches of Pakistan.

In the early hours of 26 March 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed the country’s independence following the heinous attack on unarmed Bangalees by Pakistan forces on the midnight of 25 March.

The war broke out on 26 March when the Pakistan military launched operations against Bangalee civilians, students, intelligentsia and armed personnel.

Defecting Bangalee military and paramilitary as well as civilians by forming ‘Mukti Bahini’ started guerrilla warfare against the Pakistan occupation forces.

Jamaat-e-Islami opposed the independence of erstwhile East Pakistan and formed militias such as Razakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams which massacred Bangalee civilians.

Bangladesh gained independence after a nine-month bloody war against Pakistan through the supreme sacrifices of three million people. Two lakh women also lost their chastity during the war.

With the declaration of independence on this day in 1971, people took up arms to free the country from the clutches of Pakistan and eventually liberated the soil of the land on December 16 of that year.

A 31-gun salute at dawn will herald the day while President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lead the nation in paying tributes to the martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar in the early morning.

The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted atop the government, semi-government and private buildings on the occasion. On the eve of the day, the President and the Prime Minister greeted the nation in separate messages.  

The President, in his message, said people-oriented and sustainable development, good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability must be ensured in the country in order to achieve the desired goal of independence.

“To expedite the progress of the country, let the nation embrace the spirit of the Liberation War and the ideals of the Father of the Nation and move forward in building ‘Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal)’ dreamt by Bangabandhu- this is my expectation on the great Independence Day,” he said.

In her message, the Prime Minister called upon all to take the oath to build a developed, prosperous and non-communal smart ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bands of different forces will play music at different important points in Dhaka. Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands will be illuminated with colourful lights.

People from all walks of life, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war-wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, and social, cultural and professional bodies, will also lay wreaths at the national memorial in the morning.

National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air month-long special programmes on the Liberation War highlighting the significance of the day.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and other social and cultural organisations will arrange discussions, cultural programmes and sports competitions while painting, essay and debate competitions will be organised for children.

Documentaries and movies based on the Liberation War will be screened at cinema halls across the country. Reception will be accorded to the freedom fighters and members of martyred freedom fighters at city, district and upazila levels while Bangladesh Post Office will publish commemorative postage stamps.

Special prayers will be offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders, martyrs of the War of Liberation and all other patriotic sons of the soil.

Improved meals will be served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanage centres to mark the day. The country’s children’s parks and museums will remain open for all.

Ships of Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard will be kept open for the public at Chittagong, Khulna, Mongla and Payra ports and Dhaka’s Sadarghat, Narayanganj’s Pagla, Barisal and Chandpur BIWTA dockside from 9 am to 2 pm on the day.
The missions abroad will also celebrate the day through similar programmes.