DHAKA, Dec 01, 2019 (BSS) – The celebration of Month of Victory, commemorating the country’s victory on December 16, 1971 in the Liberation War, began today with different programmes amid much enthusiasm and festivity.
Forty-eight years back on December 16, Bangladesh was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation and the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women.
Different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out numerous programmes throughout the month of December to celebrate the nation’s great victory that was achieved under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The programmes include placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital and processions, discussions, photo exhibition and cultural events.
Different organisations and educational institutions today observed the first day of the month of victory.
To mark the day, Dhaka University (DU) teachers, students, officers and employees brought out a victory procession this morning on the campus as part of the Victory Day celebration programme.
DU acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Mohammad Samad inaugurated the procession by releasing balloons and pigeons at the Aparajeyo Bangla in front of Arts Faculty building on the campus.
The procession ended at Swadhinata Chattar in the historic Suhrawardy Udyan after parading campus thoroughfares including Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).
DU Treasurer Prof Md Kamal Uddin, Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) President ASM Maksud Kamal, Proctor Professor Dr AKM Golam Rabbani, DUCSU Vice-President Md Nurul Haque, deans of different faculties, provosts of different residential halls and a large number of teachers, students, officers and employees took part in the procession.
A rally was held on the premises of Swadhinata Chattar.
Addressing the rally, acting DU VC Mohammad Samad said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has achieved outstanding achievements in all sectors, including education, literature, culture, business, trade and economic.
He urged the young generation to take oath for continuation of the ongoing development pace by strengthening the hands of Prime Minister further.
DU Music Department performed the national anthem and patriotic songs in the event.
Marking the Victory Day and National day, Bangabandhu Parishad inaugurated a month-long programme today and held a discussion at its central office in the city.
Besides, another function titled “First Dawn of Month of Victory” was staged at Hakim Chattar on the university campus this morning under the arrangement of ‘Podokkhep Bangladesh’.
Badal Chowdhury presided over the function while different cultural organizations performed music at the event.
Freedom Fighters (FF) Foundation brought out a procession from in front of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry in the city.
After parading different streets of the capital city, the procession ended coming at Shikha Chirantan (Eternal Flame) in the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.
Before bringing out the procession, a short rally was held with FF Foundation Chairman SM Jahangir Alam in the chair.
Posts and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar addressed the rally as the chief guest while Awami League Liberation War Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das addressed it as the special guest.
Different Projonmo organizations, including Amra Muktijoddhar Santan Command, took part in the rally and procession.
Besides, many other organisations organised various programmes across the country to celebrate the beginning of the month of victory.
On December 14, the nation will observe Martyred Intellectuals’ Day to commemorate those intellectuals who were killed by Pakistani forces and their collaborators during the 1971 Liberation War, particularly on 25 March and 14 December 1971.
The Victory Day of the country will be celebrated on December 16 paying homage to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice for freeing the country from the misrule and occupation of Pakistani ruler.
On this day (December 16) in 1971, the commander of Pakistan occupation army, General AAK Niazi, and his 93,000 soldiers surrendered to the allied forces of freedom fighters and Indian army at Ramna Racecourse, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka following a miserable defeat in the war of independence that broke out in March 25.