People from all walks of life have gathered at the National Parade Square grounds to be part of history as the nation is poised to create a Guinness record.
Published : 26 Mar 2014, 08:53 AM
Bangladesh will witness a historic moment on its 43rd Independence Day, when 300,000 people are expected to gather and sing the national anthem in chorus. ‘Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla’ (Sonar Bangla in lakhs of voices) is what event is being called.
On May 6 last year, the Sahara India Pariwar had set a Guinness Book record by arranging the singing of the Indian national anthem by 121,653 people.
At 11am on Wednesday, Bangladesh is will attempt to surpass that feat by getting a far larger body of people to sing, ‘Amar Sonar Bangla Ami Tomai Bhalobashi’ (My Golden Bengal, I Love You).
The song written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore had been chosen as the country's national anthem in a mass rally at Dhaka’s Paltan ground on March 3, 1971, two days after the ‘Kendriya Sangram Committee’ of Swadhin Bangla was formed.
People began gathering at the ground way before 6am, when the gates were to open. Educational institutions, political, social and cultural organisations as well as transport and garments factory workers have come together to make history.
Authorities have arranged a headcount at every entry point to make sure that a record is achieved.
By 9.30 am, the headcount of the Indian record was surpassed - by then over 196,932 people had gathered and the number kept rising as moments ticked by. Large screens at strategic points of the ground showed a ceaseless flow of people.
Viewers will be able to watch the event live on bdnews24.com site.
BTV and some private TV channels will also broadcast the event live.
Listeners will also hear the programme on Bangladesh Betar.
The event began at 8am with a cultural function staged by the Shilpakala Academy featuring eminent artistes. The final singing will be preceded by a rehearsal.
The main programme will start at 11am when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with ministers, MPs, and senior officers of the armed forces joins the masses to sing the anthem.
The Cultural Affairs Ministry is in charge of the event, while and the army is tasked with the management.