The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The Armed Forces Day will be observed today with due solemnity and enthusiasm.

The day's programme will begin with the offering of munajat (special prayers) after the Fazr prayers in all mosques at army garrisons, naval bases and establishments as well as Air Force bases throughout the country seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and development and progress of the armed forces.

On this day in 1971, the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force, came into being and launched an all-out attack on the occupation forces. So this historical day is being observed as the Armed Forces Day every year.

President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces M Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sheikh Hasina, gave separate messages on the occasion of the armed forces day.

President and Prime Minister will place floral wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (the Eternal Flame) at the Dhaka Cantonment this morning to pay homage to the members of the armed forces, who had embraced martyrdom in the War of Liberation in 1971.

Chief of Army Staff General M Abdul Mubeen, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral ZU Ahmed and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal S M Ziaur Rahman will also lay floral wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective services. Chiefs of staff of the three services will pay courtesy call on the President at the Bangabhaban and the Prime Minister at the Armed Forces Division (AFD) at Dhaka Cantonment.

The Prime Minister will also host a reception and meet the family members of the Bir Shrestho and other gallantry award winning freedom fighters at the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment.

Chiefs of staff of the three services will also accord receptions to the members of the Shaheed families, award winning and retired freedom fighters of their respective services.

In the evening, the Prime Minister will host a reception at the Sena Kunja at Dhaka cantonment to commemorate the day.

Among others, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, the Chief Justice, former presidents, opposition leader in the parliament, former chief advisers, ministers and state ministers, advisers to the prime minister, mayor of Dhaka , former advisers of last caretaker government, deputy speaker, heads of foreign missions in Dhaka, chief election commissioner and commissioners, justices, cabinet secretary, former chiefs of staff of the three services, attorney general, comptroller and auditor general, chairman and members of PSC, chairman and members of UGC, vice- chancellors of universities, governor of Bangladesh Bank, IGP, awardees of independence award and Ekushey Medal 2009, members of planning commission, secretaries, foreign defence adviser and military attaches in Dhaka, political leaders, veteran freedom fighters, educationists, eminent journalists, elite of the city, high civil officials and serving and retired officers of the three services have been invited at the reception.

Besides, evening receptions will also be held at Bogra, Chittagong, Ghatail, Comilla, Jessore, Rangpur, Rajendrapur Cantonments and BNS Titumir.

Meanwhile, programmes have also been chalked-out to celebrate the august day in a befitting manner in all army garrisons, naval ships and establishment and air force bases throughout the country.

Bangladesh Navy ships dressed overall will remain open to visitors from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in Dhaka (Sadarghat), Narayanganj, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal and Mongla.

Besides, a special 'Anirban' programme illustrating the significance of the day has been arranged in the Bangladesh Television.

The programme will be telecast by the Bangladesh Television after the Bangla News Bulletin of 8 pm yesterday. Private TV channels will telecast special discussion and talk show programmes on Armed Forces Day today.

Bangladesh Betar will also broadcast a special 'Durbar' programme at 7.30 pm today.

Moreover, private TV channels will telecast same 'Anirban' programme. Besides, the national dailies are bringing out special supplements and journal in observance of the day.

A documentary film on the armed forces' role in Liberation War will be telecast in different TV channels and armed forces garrisons and bases.