The 52nd Independence and National Day was celebrated across the country, commemorating the Liberation War heroes whose sacrifices ensured its freedom from Pakistani oppression in 1971.
The government took elaborate programmes marking the Independence and National Day.
The day's programmes began by heralding gun salutes early in the morning as a mark of profound respect to the heroic struggle of this nation, which suffered a protracted subjugation under foreign rules from time to time till achieving its Independence in 1971.
On the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar here this morning.
After placing the wreaths, the President and the premier stood in solemn silence for some times as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.
A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute at that time while the bugles played the last post.
The President and the Prime Minister also signed the visitors' book kept on the memorial premises.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, high civil and military officials, among others, were present on the occasion.
Later, the Speaker and the Chief Justice also paid homage to the martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial.
Later, people from all walks of life, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war-wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies, placed wreaths at the National Memorial.
Leaders of BNP, Jatiya Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangadesh Workers Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal placed wreaths at the memorial.
The national flag was hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings in the morning while all streets and important city intersections were decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.
Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands were illuminated with colourful lights.
The day was a public holiday.
National dailies brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels aired special programmes, highlighting the significance of the day.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and other social and cultural organisations arranged discussions, cultural programmes and sports competition, while painting competition for children, essay and debate competitions were organised virtually.
Documentaries and movies on the Liberation War were screened at cinema halls across the country.
Reception was accorded upon freedom fighters and the members of martyred freedom fighters at city, zilla and upazila levels, while Bangladesh Postal Office released commemorative postal stamps.
Special prayers were offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country, seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation, four national leaders, the martyrs of the Liberation War and all other patriotic sons of the soil.
Doa mahfil (special prayers) were arranged at the mosques across the country, including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, after Zohr prayers.
Christian community members arranged special prayers at churches, while Buddhist community members held prayers at International Buddhist Monastery and Hindu community members arranged prayers at Dhakeshwari National Temple here.
Improved meals were served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanage centres to mark the day.
The country's all children's parks and museums remained open for all.
The missions abroad also celebrated the day through similar programmes.
Different political parties, including BNP, Awami League, as well as socio-cultural and professional organisations also took various programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.
