Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh will observe its Independence and National Day today, with nationwide celebrations commemorating the country’s historic struggle for freedom. A range of events will honour the martyrs of the Liberation War and highlight the nation’s progress.
The day will commence with a 31-gun salute at dawn, followed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus laying a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.
Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam, political leaders, diplomats, and the families of war heroes will also place floral tributes at the memorial and various district-level sites.
Government, semi-government, and private buildings across the country will raise the national flag at sunrise.
Major streets and intersections in Dhaka and other cities will be adorned with colourful flags and festoons, while key buildings will be illuminated in celebration.
Student assemblies and parades will be held at divisional, district, and upazila levels.
In his Independence Day message, Chief Adviser Yunus reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and justice.
“We are dedicated to sustainable development and transparency in all spheres of the state,” he said, extending his greetings to Bangladeshis at home and abroad.
Reflecting on the sacrifices made for independence, he stated, “The war for freedom was the culmination of a long struggle for dignity and rights. Today, we honour the valiant martyrs whose sacrifices secured our liberty.”
The Chief Adviser also recognised the nation’s recent history, remarking that for the past 16 years, dictatorship had deprived citizens of their fundamental rights. He praised the successful July 2024 mass uprising, which, he said, liberated the people from autocratic rule.
“This Independence Day should inspire us to work for the development, peace, and prosperity of the country, keeping the spirit of the Liberation War alive,” he declared.
As part of the celebrations, special supplements and articles on the Liberation War will be published in newspapers, while television and radio stations will air month-long special programmes.
Cultural institutions, including the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the Liberation War Museum, will host discussions, film screenings, and exhibitions on the war’s legacy.
Traditional games such as football, cricket, and kabaddi will be organised at the district and upazila levels, and a special reception will be held for freedom fighters and the families of martyred war heroes.
The Bangladesh Postal Department will release commemorative stamps, while prayers will be offered in mosques, temples, churches, and pagodas for the nation’s peace and prosperity.
Hospitals, prisons, orphanages, and old-age homes will serve special meals, and children’s parks and museums will offer free entry.
In a rare public engagement, the Bangladesh Navy will open several ships to visitors in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Mongla, Narayanganj, and Chandpur from noon to 4 pm.
Similar programmes will be held across the country and at Bangladesh missions abroad, ensuring a collective tribute to the nation’s hard-won independence.
