Bangladesh celebrates victory over Pakistan in 1971

Bangladesh has taken a fresh vow to move forward with secular, democratic ideals as it marked 43rd anniversary of its victory over Pakistan by paying homage to the nation's bravest who spilled their blood in the struggle for freedom.

Nearly three million people were killed in the nine-month long 1971 Liberation War and 200,000 women and girls were raped.

Tuesday's programmes began with 31-gun salute at the National Parade Ground at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

People from across the social divide thronged the National Memorial to honour the war heroes.

The struggle that started at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's call ended with the Pakistan army's surrender on Dec 16, 1971 at the Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka.

A number of people who opposed Bangladesh's birth have been put on trial. Most of those convicted are from Jamaat-e-Islami, a party itself accused of perpetrating war crimes.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages hoped to transform Bangladesh into a 'Golden Bengal' as envisioned by the nation’s founding father.

But in a typical political jibe, the BNP, which boycotted the Jan 5 polls and has been pressing for a snap election, accused the government of "incarcerating democracy".

In a rare feat, this year Bangladesh was elected Chair of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, President of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Member of the UN Human Rights Council, Member of International Telecommunication Union Council and Member of UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The government says the achievements are a testament to Bangladesh's flourishing democracy.

Bangladesh boasts the second highest forex reserves among SAARC nations after India.

The country's remarkable socio-economic achievement has also been lauded globally.

The European Union, Bangladesh's largest trade partner, has praised the country for moving towards trade instead relying on foreign aid.

“Bangladesh proudly stands on its own two feet,” EU head of delegation in Dhaka Pierre Mayaudon said last week.

“This is thanks to the hard work. One could even say to the sacrifice, of millions of men and women.”