Independence Day: President Shahabuddin, PM Tarique pay tribute at National Memorial

After the VIPs paid their tributes, the National Memorial was opened to the public

The president and the prime minister have presented wreaths of flowers at the National Memorial in Savar as tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War on the 55th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence.

At 5:56am, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the wreaths.

The prime minister arrived at the memorial at 5:53am, according to his Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Ruman.

Tarique received the president on his arrival at the site.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Aazam Khan, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and the chiefs of the three Armed Forces were present.

After placing wreaths, the president and the prime minister stood for a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs. A bugle played a mournful tune following the state salute.

The premier later placed another wreath alongside members of his cabinet.

As BNP chairperson, Tarique then offered a floral tribute at the memorial alongside party leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and National Standing Committee Members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin, and AZM Zahid Hossain.

They later took part in prayers for the fallen heroes.

Following the high-level tributes, families of those who received the Bir Sreshtho award - the highest military award in Bangladesh, wounded freedom fighters, war veterans, and foreign diplomats placed wreaths at the memorial.

The day’s programmes began with a 31-gun salute in Dhaka at dawn. After VIPs paid their respects, the National Memorial was opened to the public.