BSS-61, 62, 63, 64 Bangladesh celebrates 51st Independence and National Day

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Bangladesh celebrates 51st Independence and National Day

DHAKA, March 26, 2021 (BSS) – The nation today celebrated the 51st Independence and National Day in a befitting manner coinciding with the 10-day grand celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of the country’s independence.

The grand celebration marked the physical attendance of five heads of state and government and virtual attendance of other global leaders, began on March 17 at the National Parade Square here in the presence of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The 10-day grand celebration ended today following the celebration of the country’s Independence and National Day with the attendance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in person as the guest of honour at the National Parade Ground.

UN Secretary Antonio Guterres, President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prince of Wales Charles and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan sent letters and video messages on the closing day of the grand celebrations.

Earlier, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering joined the grand celebration in person since March 17.

Marking the Independence and National Day, the government took elaborate programmes maintaining the health guidelines in view of the global pandemic coronavirus.

The day’s programmes began by heralding a 50-gun salute early in the morning as a mark of profound 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 national flag was hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings with the rises of sun while all streets and important city intersections will be decorated with national and multi-colored miniature flags and festoons.

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President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the War of Liberation by placing wreaths at the National Memorial here this morning marking the 51st Independence and National Day.

President Hamid first placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial followed by the Prime Minister.

After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971.

A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion while the bugles played the last post.

Later, the President and the Prime Minister signed the visitors’ book there on the occasion.

Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, senior Awami League leaders and high civil and military officials, among others, were present there.

Due to pandemic COVID-19 outbreak, the state ceremony was celebrated in a limited scale maintaining the health guidelines and social distancing.

Subsequently Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain also paid tribute to the martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial here.

Ruling Awami League led by party General Secretary Obaidul Quader also paid tribute there by placing wreaths in presence of some senior party leaders.

Just after the completion of the state formalities, the main gate of the national memorial was opened for all.

Jatiya Party, BNP, Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, NAP, Gono Forum, Ganatantri Party, Awami Jubo League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League and different other political parties placed wreaths at the National Memorial.

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Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, Muktijoddha Sangsad, Sector Commanders Forum, Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Mahila Parishad, Bangla Academy and different socio-cultural organizations and institutions also paid tributes.

On her return from the National Memorial at Savar, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital.

Later, the Prime Minister along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana entered the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and placed a wreath at the stair where the bloodstained and bullet-riddled body of the great leader fell at the black night of August 15.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader along with senior party leaders also paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait.

AL Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Dr Abdur Razzak, Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, AL Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Joint General Secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain, Advocate Afjal Hossain, SM Kamal Hossain and Mirza Azam, Liberation Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan were present, among others.

The 10-day special programme of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and golden jubilee of the independence titled “Mujib Chirantan” ended at the national parade ground today.

President Md Abdul Hamid joined the function as the chief guest on the concluding day with the theme ‘Swadhinatar Panchash Bochhor O Agragatir Subarnarekha’.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the function while her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi attended it as the guest of honor.

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Chief Coordinator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury delivered the welcome speech at the discussion, while Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque gave the welcome address.

At the discussion, “Sraddha Swarak” (souvenir of tributes) was handed over to the guest of honour. The golden jubilee logo was unveiled on the occasion.

At the cultural function, the newly formed raga ‘Moitree’ dedicated to Bangabandhu by renowned Indian classical music maestro Pundit Ajay Chakraborty, theatrical choreography titled ‘Father gave independent homeland, daughter gave light’ and three songs titled ‘Bindu to Sindhu’ were performed. Marking the day, the prime minister sent flowers, fruits and sweets to members of liberation war martyrs and war-wounded freedom fighters rehabilitation center at Mohammadpur like every years.

Improved meals were served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanage centres to mark the day.

Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands were illuminated with colourful lights.

National dailies brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels aired special programmes on Liberation War and highlighting the significance of the day.

The day was also celebrated across the country including divisional cities and district towns in a befitting manner while Bangladesh missions abroad also celebrated the day through similar programmes.

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