DHAKA, March 26, 2023 (BSS) - President M Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam today hosted a reception at Bangabhaban marking the country's 53rd Independence and National Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception on the lawn of the Bangabhaban at about 5pm.

Besides, President-elect Md Sahabuddin, his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique attended the reception programme.

As many as 2500 guests were invited in the programme of the Independence and National Day reception after a long gap of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Of the invitees, cabinet members, advisers, state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant Freedom Fighters and family members of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens attended the reception.

Newspaper editors and journalist leaders also attended the gathering alongside top civil and military officials.

On the occasion, President Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cut a cake. They exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other dignitaries and guests at the function.

Later, the reception was followed by an iftar party.

Prior to it, a special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

Pesh Imam of Bangabhaban Jame Mosque Maulana M Saiful Kabir conducted the munajat.

Every year, the March 26 brings the most tragic reminiscence of the history's blackest episode that heralded a nine-month bloody ordeal from the night of March 25, 1971, 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 declared the 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 day is very auspicious and precious to the Bangalee nation.