Shafiqul Islam (Jami)
Today is a historic day. The grandiose victory day! The day glorifies the Bengali nation in the pages of history and debuted the Bengalis as a nation of heroes. An independent territory called Bangladesh curved out on the world map on this day. Today is the ramification of collective effort put by the language movement of 1952, the six points of 1966, the mass uprising of 1969, and the historic speech of 7 March 1971, declaration of independence of Bangabandhu in the early morning of 26 March, and the bloody liberation war that claimed the lives of 3 million martyrs and 200,000 other war victims. The final victory was achieved on 16 December 1971 with the surrender of the Pakistani army.
Today is the 50th anniversary of the victory and 51st victory day. Meanwhile, various political parties including the President and the Prime Minister have given separate messages on the occasion of Victory Day. On the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of victory, a two-day special program has been organized in the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban under the theme ‘Mohabijoyer Mohanayok’ from today.
The National Implementation Committee has organized the celebration of Mujib Year. Today, on the 1st day, the ceremony will start at 4:30 pm and at the beginning, the swearing in ceremony of Subarna Jayanti and Mujibbbarsha will be conducted by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. People from all walks of life will take part in the swearing-in ceremony holding the national flag with the promise of building a prosperous Bangladesh.
After the oath taking ceremony, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over a discussion meeting where the President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid as a chief guest and the Indian President Shri Ram Nath Kovinda will address as the Guest of Honor. Liberation War Affairs Minister A.K.M. Mozammel Haque and Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and the chief coordinator of the National Implementation Committee Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury will give a welcome speech. On the occasion, Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Rehana will pay homage to the distinguished guest “Mujib Chiranton”, said the chief coordinator of the National Implementation Committee Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury.
On the national Day Victory Day program, the sunrise with the President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lay a floral wreath at the Savar National Memorial. After that the Bir Shrestha family, war wounded freedom fighters and heroic freedom fighters present under the leadership of the Minister for Liberation War will lay wreaths. Foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh, people from all walks of life including various political and social organizations will pay their respects to the martyred freedom fighters by laying wreaths. Foreign diplomats, invited members participating in the liberation war as members of the Allied Forces and people from all walks of life including various political and social organizations will also pay homage to the martyred freedom fighters by laying wreaths.
Besides, a colorful parade of the combined forces and an exhibition of mechanical fleets based on the activities of various ministries will be held at 10:30 am at the National Parade Square at Tejgaon Old Airport. The President will inspect the parade and receive salutations as the chief guest. The Prime Minister will also be present at the parade.
The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings and important buildings and installations will be illuminated. On 16 December 1971, the Bengali nation broke the shackles of subjugation and tasted its first independence. After enduring 24 years of oppression, a new sunrise appeared and the Bengali found their own identity.
