Thousands of celebrants chant slogans of victory in a march past to pay homage to the greatest sons of the soil at National Mausoleum at Savar on Victory Day. Reaz Ahmed Sumon The nation on Tuesday celebrated the 44th Victory Day, paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War and pledging to defend independence and sovereignty of the country and carry on the trial of war criminals. The countrymen also vowed to consolidate democracy in the country, ensure progress and prosperity and attain economic emancipation. The day was heralded by a 31-gun salute at dawn. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in celebrating the day by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar at 6:30am. They stood for a while in memory of the martyred freedom fighters while a smartly-turned-out contingent of the military paid armed homage to the martyrs as the bugle played the last post. The national flag flew atop all the government offices and educational institutions. Sheikh Hasina again placed wreaths as the Awami League president along with his party colleagues to the martyrs after placing wreaths as the premier. The premier was followed by Jatiya Sangsad Speaker, deputy speaker, Chief Justice, chiefs of the three services, diplomats and foreign friends. Main opposition Jatiya Party chairman and opposition leader Raushan Ershad also placed wreaths at the mausoleum. Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia along with the party leaders also placed wreaths at about 9:30am. President Abdul Hamid took salute and inspected parade at the National Parade Ground. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also attended the programme. Thousands of people from all walks of life witnessed the spectacular two-hour parade. The President, accompanied by parade commander Maj Gen Waqar uz Zaman, riding on an open jeep inspected the Victory Day Parade and took salute in the morning. Aircrafts of Army aviation, Navy aviation and RAB helicopters enthralled the spectators with fly-past while the Air Force presented aerobatic show and the Army paratroopers displayed parachute landing. The army, police, coast guard, Ansar, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps, fire service, participated in the parade. The new addition Bangladesh Army-Multiple Launch Rocket System, MBT-2000 tank, self propelled gun, armoured light vehicle and weapon locating rudder SLC-2, new addition Bangladesh Navy-defender class boat were on display during the parade. The programme ended with a spectacular fly-past by Air Force’s MIG-29 and greetings from the band players. Speaker, cabinet members, freedom fighters, senior civil and military officers, enjoyed the event. Some 17 war heroes from India also attended the event. After the departure of the VIPs from the national mausoleum, the key entrance gate to the memorial was opened for the general public. People of all ages and different institutions placed wreaths to the martyrs of the Liberation War. Demanding the execution of the verdicts against the war criminals, tens of thousands of people also thronged the mausoleum to pay homage to the war heroes, who had laid down their lives to free the country from the clutches of Pakistani hyenas. The celebrants also renewed their demand for banning Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami politics on the home soil as they reaffirmed their pledge to build Bangladesh as a happy abode for all through realisation of the dreams of the martyrs. On this day in 1971, barbaric Pakistani army stood before heroic Bangalees by keeping their heads down and laying down their arms and signed the instrument of surrender leading to the Caesarean birth of Bangladesh. Different socio-political and cultural organisations as well as educational institutions placed wreaths at the memorial since early morning in tribute to the valiant sons of the soil. The altar of the memorial was bedecked with flowers as the mourners in processions filed past the memorial carrying banners inscribed with slogans like, ‘we want trial of all those involved in war crimes and human rights violations,’ and ‘bring war criminals to justice’. Democratic Left Alliance, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Gana Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Ganatantri Party, Democratic Revolutionary Party, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad, Ganasanghati Andolan, Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Mahila Parishad, Sector Commanders’ Forum, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bikkhubdha Deshbasi, Swadhinata Foundation, National Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Juba Moitree, Bangladesh Student Federation, Chhatra Oikya Forum, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Bangla Academy, Dhaka Union of Journalists, Sramajibi Mukti Andolan, Samajtantrik Mahila Forum, Dhaka University Teachers Association, Jatiya Hindu Maitree Parishad, Ganatantrik Biplabi Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik League, Bangladesh Nari Mukti Andolan, Bangladesh Garment Workers Unity Council and many other organisations placed wreaths at the memorials and held discussions on the occasion. Security was beefed up in and around the Savar National Mausoleum on the occasion. Some 1,500 uniformed and plain-clothes law-enforcers were deployed to maintain law and order. The entire National Mausoleum area was monitored from makeshift control room by CCTV cameras. People across the country observed the day through various programmes, including discussions, human chains and silent processions. Newspapers published special supplements and radio and television channels aired special programmes, highlighting the significance of the day in national life. Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship to seek divine blessings for peace and progress of the country. Improved diet was served in jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrants’ homes across the country on the occasion of the Victory Day.
No comments:
Post a Comment