Nation celebrates victory day today

Today marks our 50th victory day — the day of liberation of Bangalees as a nation from the shackles of subjugation.

On this day, the brave citizens of our nation snatched the red and green flag of independence by fighting the Pakistani aggressors to death. On December 16, 1971, independent and sovereign Bangladesh was placed on the world map.

We won this day 49 years ago after a nine-month-long bloody struggle against Pakistan. After nine months of the liberation war, led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — the architect of independent Bangladesh and the father of the Bengali nation — on the afternoon of December 16, about 92,000 members of the barbaric Pakistani aggressors surrendered to the joint forces at the then Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan).

It was through this historical event that independent Bangladesh was illuminated in the red sunlight of independence. Since then, December 16 has been our victory day.

In a circular issued on January 22, 1972, the government declared the day of Bangladesh's victory as a national day. Since that year, December 16 has been celebrated as Victory Day.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, like many other events, this year's Victory Day programme is going to be limited. As usual, a joint military parade is not being held at the National Parade Square on Victory Day. However, with the sunrise, Dhaka and all the districts and upazilas of the country was shelled 31 times.

The president and the prime Minister will pay homage to the martyrs by laying floral wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar as soon as the sun rises.

On the occasion of the 50th Victory Day, the President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad gave special messages.

In separate messages, they wished the people a happy Victory Day and commemorated the sacrifices of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu, countless heroic freedom fighters, and martyrs with deep respect.

Today is a public holiday. However, the national flag will be hoisted in all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings. In the evening, important buildings and installations will be illuminated with decorative lighting. The main roads and road dividers of Dhaka and different cities of the country will be decorated with national flags as well.

Various political parties and social and cultural organisations, including the Bangladesh Awami League, have undertaken various programmes on the occasion of great Victory Day.

Newspapers have published special supplements highlighting the significance of the day. Various electronic media including Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar are broadcasting special programmes based on the liberation war.

A happy Victory Day to all our readers!