Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Bangladesh celebrated the 45th Independence and National Day on Thursday with due solemnity and festivity.
On Mar 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by the Pakistan occupation army.
After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of the millions of people, the people of the country achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971.
Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life, who converged at the National Memorial at Savar since early morning to recall with gratitude the sacrifices of the martyrs, also took a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and build a happy, prosperous and secular Bangladesh.
They also chanted full-throated slogans for an intensified campaign for expediting the ongoing trial of the war criminals of 1971 to free the nation from a stigma.
The day is a public holiday.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar in the morning paying rich tributes to the bravest sons of the soil who embraced martyrdom during the nine-month blood-spattered war against Pakistani occupation forces.
The President and the Prime Minister laid wreaths at the altar of the National Mausoleum around 6:00 am.
After placing the wreaths, they stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs of the great Liberation War for their supreme sacrifice.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented state salute on the occasion as the bugle played the last post.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with senior leaders of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) also placed wreaths at the National Memorial on behalf of her party.
The Chief Justice, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Leader of the Parliament, ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, state ministers, the chiefs of the three services, diplomats, high civil and military officials, freedom fighters, other dignitaries and senior leaders of Awami League were present.
Later, President Abdul Hamid signed the visitor's book on the memorial premises.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina first laid a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu as the Prime Minister and stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.
Flanked by her party central leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, laid another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended a rally of children and juveniles at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the morning. She also released a commemorative postage stamp at her official residence Ganobhaban marking the 45th Independence and National Day.
President Hamid host a reception at Bangabhaban at 4:45 pm on the occasion.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the countrymen on the occasion.
The national flag was hoisted atop government and private buildings while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places were illuminated on the auspicious occasion.
Ruling Awami League chalked out elaborate programmes marking the Independence and National Day.
The national and party flags were hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi, party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue as well as the offices across the country in the morning.
Meanwhile, BNP leaders and activists placed wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar and at the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman.
BBN/SSR/AD-26Mar15-12:05 pm (BST)