DHAKA, March 25, 2018 (BSS) – The nation has taken all out preparations to
celebrate the 48th Independence and National Day tomorrow, refreshing the
resolution to uphold the spirit of the War of Liberation and build a “Sonar
Bangla” as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
This year the nation is celebrating the Day amid much enthusiasm, fanfare
and pride as the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu, which was the
effective deceleration of the country’s independence, got the prestigious
place in the world’s documentary heritage.
In October last year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) included the speech in the Memory of the World
International Register – a list of the world’s important documentary
heritage. This recognition has taken the country’s status to a new stature in
the global context.
The country this year has also achieved a milestone progress in socio-
economic development.
The Committee for Development Policy (CDP) of the United Nations on March
15 officially declared the eligibility of Bangladesh for graduating from the
Least Development Countries (LDCs).
The nation is also celebrating the success in festivity, which will
continue till March 28 across the country.
Amid this success and festivity, glowing tributes will be paid to the
martyrs and veterans of the War of Liberation on the Independence and
National Day tomorrow.
The National Memorial 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 early in the 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 also lay
wreaths at the national memorial in the morning.
Every year, March 26 brings the most tragic reminiscence of the history’s
blackest episode that heralded a nine-month bloody ordeal from the night
following March 25, 1971 in achieving the long-cherished independence on
December 16 the same year at the cost of a sea of blood.
In the wake of the military crackdown, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who became the undisputed leader of the then Pakistan
following the massive victory of his party, Awami League, in the 1970 general
elections, declared independence of Bangladesh through the then EPR (East
Pakistan Rifles) wireless at 00-30 hours on March 26 (the night following
March 25) in 1971 at his historic Road-32 residence at Dhanmondi here.
The great leader also called upon the people to build up strong resistance
against the Pakistani barbaric occupation forces.
The Pakistani military junta, in a bid to stop the legitimate movement of
the Bangalees, arrested Bangabandhu on that night following his declaration
of independence.
Later, Bangabandhu was taken to the then West Pakistan where he had to
spend long nine months in a dark condemned cell.
Bangabandhu wrote down the declaration of independence soon after the
Pakistani army cracked down on the fateful night of March 25, 1971.
The declaration of independence was soon put on air by wireless. The
declaration was first broadcast by Awami League leader MA Hannan from
Kalurghat Radio Station in port city Chittagong on March 26, 1971.
However, on March 27, 1971, the then Major Ziaur Rahman announced the
proclamation of independence on behalf of great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman from the same radio station.
The Pakistani military junta in their monstrous outburst unleashed a
bloody holocaust breaking the silence of the night following March 25 in 1971
when they mercilessly killed hundreds of innocent sleeping Bangalees
including teachers, students, police, soldiers, pedestrians and rickshaw-
pullers here.
The nation soon launched the War of Liberation at the call of Father of
the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the early hours of March 26.
Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country on December 16,
1971 with the surrender of the Pakistani occupation forces, who killed three
million innocent Bangalees, perpetrated atrocities on 200,000 (two lakh)
Bangalee women and burnt down lakhs of dwelling houses across the country
during the nine-month war.
On the eve of the Day, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina will issue separate messages, highlighting the significance of the day
in building Bangladesh a prosperous nation.
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.
The nation will also pay glowing tributes to Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and valiant sons of the soil whose supreme
sacrifices freed the country from the of Pakistani bondage.
The day 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 have already
been illuminated with colourful lights.
The government has taken a programme to sing the country’s national anthem
‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ written by Rabindranath Tagore in correct form at 8am
across the country and Bangladesh missions abroad on the Independence Day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the nation to sing the national
anthem at the main programme at ‘Jatiya Shishu Kishore Samabesh’ to be held
at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh
Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels
will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
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, four national
leaders, martyrs of the War of Liberation and all other patriotic sons of the
soil.
Improved diets will be served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old
homes and other public institutions to mark the day.
Different political parties as well as socio-cultural and professional
organisations have drawn elaborate programmes to observe the day in a
befitting manner.