Bangladesh celebrates 46th Independence Day

Bangladesh is celebrating the day it achieved the identity of an independent nation breaking the shackles of subjugation of Pakistan 46 years ago.

The celebration of the Independence Day began with a 31-gun salute at dawn on Sunday.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina started off the the 46th 'Independence Day' by paying floral tributes to the martyrs of 1971 Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar at the outskirts of capital Dhaka.

On this day, brave Bengalis started the resistance to the barbaric atrocities unleashed by the Pakistani forces as part of 'Operation Searchlight' unleashed on the night before.

That is why for the first time Bangladesh observed Mar 25 as 'Genocide Day' this year.

They observed a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs.

The sound of the bugle cut through the morning as soldiers saluted the heroes of the Liberation War that saw an end to more than two decades of Pakistani rule.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Choudhury placed the floral wreaths after the president and the prime minister.

Hasina placed another floral wreath as the president of the ruling Awami League.

After the president and prime minister left, the memorial was then adorned with flowers and wreaths by foreign diplomats, war veterans, political parties, social and cultural organisations, and people from all walks of life.

Huge crowds gathered at the Savar National Memorial at Savar as the day progressed.

After placing the wreath at the National Memorial, the prime minister went to the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhaka's Dhanmondi, where she placed a wreath and paid respects to Bangladesh's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Hasina then attended a gathering of children at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Government and non-government organisations have organised various programmes across the country to celebrate the day.

The day marks the beginning of the fight by Bengalis in erstwhile East Pakistan for freedom.

On the night of Mar 25, 1971, the Pakistan Army launched 'Operation Searchlight', a brutal and barbaric military assault on an unsuspecting population to crush the Bengali movement for rights and justice that had turned to a fight for freedom in the face of persistent denials.

The nation’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was detained that night. Before he was picked up, he had proclaimed independence.

The undisputed leader of the Bengalis had effectively announced the nation’s independence at the historic Mar 7 rally at the Racecourse grounds when he thundered: “Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram (This time the struggle is for our freedom. This time the struggle for our independence).”

After nine months of the bloody war, Bangladesh emerged on the world map on Dec 16, surfing through an 'ocean of blood'.

Nearly three million people, mostly Bengali civilians, died in these nine months, more than a quarter of a million Bengali women were dishonoured - something that makes Bangladesh's freedom a very hard-earned one.

For the first time this year, Bangladesh nationally observed Mar 25 as Genocide Day commemorating those killed by the Pakistani occupation on that night in 1971. Bangladesh is also pitching for global recognition of the Day. 

Marking the Independence Day, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages.

President Hamid in his message urged all Bangladeshi citizens in the country and abroad to work together with the spirit of Liberation War and democratic values to speed up overall development. 

He recalled Bangabandhu with 'profound respect' and the four National Leaders, freedom fighters, and every other person who contributed to the struggle for freedom with 'deep reverence'.

Mentioning Bangladesh's achievements in development, the president said, "We have to go a long way to achieving the desired goals of independence. I believe that sincere and concerted efforts from all strata irrespective of party affiliation are imperative to reach the goals."

He also said that the people of Bangladesh had a 'great love' for democracy, development and peace and added: "they do not support any sorts of violence including militancy and terrorism".

"We should keep in mind that the thriving of democracy and its institutionalisation is very important for attaining overall development. Therefore, we have to maintain patience, self-restraint and forbearance in our national life along with showing respect to others' opinion in a democratic pluralism," he said.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the people, saying, "It is the day of earning self-identity of the nation, and it's the day of breaking the shackles of subjugation."

Emphasising the knowledge of real history, she said, "To ensure that this achievement remains meaningful, all have to know the history of our great liberation war and retain the spirit of independence ...the history has to be passed on to generation to generation."

She also called for unity to tackle any ill-motivated move by the anti-liberation forces.

"Let's join our hands to build a non-communal, hunger-poverty free and happy, prosperous 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," she said.

Programmes

The main streets of Dhaka and other parts of the country have been decorated with national and colourful flags.

All important buildings have been illuminated.

The national flag has been hoisted at all government, semi-government, statutory and private establishments on Saturday morning.

Newspapers have published supplements to mark the day, while state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, and private radio and TV stations are broadcasting special programmes.

The ministries of Liberation War affairs and cultural affairs have organised cultural events and discussions.

All places of worship will hold special prayers while prisoners, patients at hospitals, orphans, and students will be served special food.

The Bangladesh embassies abroad have also organised Independence Day programmes.