The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The nation celebrated the 37th Victory Day yesterday with pomp and grandeur and a renewed pledge to build a prosperous democratic Bangladesh based on an equitable and forward-looking society.

This was the anniversary of the nation's glorious victory over Pakistani occupation forces in the Liberation War on December 16 in 1971 and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country.

On this day in 1971, Chief of Eastern Command of the Pakistani occupation force Lt Gen AK Niazi surrendered to Commander of Bangladesh-India Joint Command Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Arora at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital. Deputy Chief of Bangladesh Liberation Force Air-Vice Marshall AK Khondoker represented the newborn country at the surrender ceremony.

While rejoicing over the triumph this very day in 1971, the grateful nation paid rich tributes to the martyred war heroes and once again recalled their dreams of an independent country free from exploitation, deprivation and socioeconomic disparities.

The state-programme of the day began with a 31-gun salute at the dawn at the National Parad Ground in the capital.

Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life visited the National Mausoleum at Savar and paid their homage to the 30-lakh martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to have a free nation state in 1971. Solemnly standing in front of the stately memorial, they saluted the valiant sons and daughters of the soil.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed led the nation in offering glowing tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the national mausoleum. Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed followed him.

They stood in silence at the altar of the National Mausoleum for a short time when buglers played the last post.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Army, Navy and Air Force gave the President and the Chief Adviser guard of honour during the state ceremony.

After the President and the Chief Adviser, Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar and Chief justice Md Ruhul Amin, Advisers of the Caretaker Government, judges, foreign diplomats, Chiefs of three services and top civil and military officials also placed wreaths.

Liberation War Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (rtd) MA Matin received the President and the Chief Adviser at the National Mausoleum.

Members of the seven Bir Shresthas, together for the first time, and freedom fighters placed wreaths at the Monument following the state dignitaries.

The National Mausoleum was opened for the people, who paid their homage to the martyred war heroes amid tight security, after the state function.

Over 3,000 security personnel were deployed in an around the Mausoleum while 4,000 in the capital city on this occasion.

Central leaders of the Awami League, both factions of the BNP, Jatiya Party, CPB, Workers Party, the Gano Forum, Bikalpa Dhara, JSD, LDP and PDP were among the politicians who paid tribute to the illustrious sons and daughters of this soil by laying wreaths at the memorial.

Dhaka University, various cultural and social organisations also paid their homage to the independence martyrs.

Leaders of different socio-cultural organisations, rights groups, professional bodies, educational institutions and wide cross-sections of people also placed wreaths at the altar of the Mausoleum.

In the celebration part of the great occasion, a children's rally and parade was staged at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the morning, where schoolchildren, scouts, Ansar-VDP band party and horse-mounted police enthralled a huge crowd with their various displays.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed could not attend the function as chief guest as he left for Makkah to perform Hajj after the National Mausoleum ceremony.

Liberation War Affairs Adviser, MA Matin, inaugurated the function, with a call for the up-and-coming generation to "triumph in life" and build a Bangladesh that truly reflects the spirit and objectives of the liberation war.

The day was a public holiday. National flag was hoisted atop all the government, semi-government, autonomous establishments and educational institutions across the country.

The Government, major political parties, including the BNP and Awami League (AL), and different socio-cultural organisations chalked out programmes to mark the occasion.

Main streets and road islands in different cities, including the capital, were decorated with miniature flags and buntings, while some Government buildings also illuminated.

The Victory Day was celebrated across the country and at Bangladesh missions abroad. Bangladesh missions abroad also organised discussions and cultural functions on the occasion. Bangladeshi communities across the globe also joined the celebration as per tradition.

President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser of the Caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed issued separate messages on this occasion, felicitating the nation and calling for united effort to attain the prime goal of the liberation war through building a happy, rich and self-reliant country.

The Department of Mass Communication under the Ministry of Information chalked out an elaborate programme in celebration of the Victory Day throughout the country on the day.

Under the programmes folk singers of the dept performed patriotic songs at different spots on the bank of river Buriganga on the department's own launched and at different points of the capital on mobile trucks.

Sixty-four district information offices and four hilly upazila offices of the department arranged the screening of documentary films on the theme of the day across the country.

Members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces joined the nation in observing the great Victory Day in a befitting manner.

Special prayers were offered at all mosques of Army, Navy and Air Force all over the country seeking divine blessings for the peace and progress of the country and development of the armed forces.

The national flag was hoisted atop the services' headquarters and Armed Forces installations.

Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force bands performed at Crescent Lake (Sangsad Bhaban Area), Farmgate Park Area and Mirpur Stadium respectively from 2pm to 4pm. They played different patriotic and popular tunes.

Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship, seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country. Improved diets were served at hospitals, jails, orphanages and vagrant homes.

The state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and private television and radio channels aired special programmes while the national dailies brought out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy and Bangladesh Shishu Academy also organised separate cultural functions, film shows and painting competitions on their premises to mark the day.