Dhaka: The nation is poised to commemorate Victory Day tomorrow, marking the 54th anniversary of its liberation from Pakistani occupation forces through a nine-month-long War of Liberation. The historic day, December 16, 1971, saw the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation, achieved at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honor of two lakh women.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government has planned extensive programs to celebrate this significant occasion, starting with a 31-gun salute in the city tomorrow morning. Key activities include placing wreaths at monuments to honor martyrs, hoisting national flags, organizing a three-day victory fair, and hosting parachuting events displaying the highest number of national flags. Cultural events, recitation, essay writing, and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children, along with an acrobatic show, are also part of the celebrations.
The President and the Chief Adviser are expected to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the Savar National Martyrs’ Memorial at sunrise. This will be followed by tributes from Bir Shrestha families, war-wounded Freedom Fighters, and other brave Freedom Fighters, led by the Liberation War Affairs Adviser. Foreign diplomats, political and social organizations, as well as people from all walks of life, will also honor the martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Liberation War.
In celebration of Victory Day, the national flag will be flown at all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh embassies and missions abroad. Major buildings and establishments will be illuminated, and the streets of Dhaka and other cities have been adorned with banners, festoons, and colorful flags, including the national flag.
As part of the grand nationwide celebration, Bangladesh aims to set a world record for parachuting with the highest number of national flags. The Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force will conduct separate fly-past demonstrations at the Tejgaon old airport from 11:00 am, with a special Victory Day band show also scheduled. A significant highlight will be the flag-bearing skydive by 54 paratroopers of “Team Bangladesh” at 11:40 am, marking 54 years of independence and setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest-ever flag-parachuting display.
Similar demonstrations will be conducted by the armed forces in other cities, while the police, BGB, and Ansar will organize band shows nationwide. All events will be open to the public.
The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will organize three-day Victory Fairs in all districts and upazilas. District and upazila administrations will arrange recitation, essay writing, and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children and organize cultural events. At 9 am, students will gather in educational institutions to hoist the national flag, sing the national anthem, and hold parades.
Victory Day songs will be performed at Suhrawardy Udyan from 3 pm, while new-generation artists will perform songs of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in 64 districts. Social and cultural organizations, including Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, and others, will host discussions, cultural programs, competitions, and documentary screenings on the Liberation War.
Bangladesh embassies abroad will also organize similar programs. Sports events, including football matches, T20 cricket tournaments, and traditional games, will be held at the district and upazila levels with student participation.
The President will honor the Bir Shrestha families at Bangabhaban in the afternoon, while receptions for freedom fighters and martyrs’ families will be held across the country. The Bangladesh Postal Department will issue commemorative postage stamps, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will release special supplements.
State-owned media and other channels will broadcast programs highlighting the Liberation War’s history. Cinema halls will screen Liberation War films for students free of charge, and documentaries will be shown at various venues. Museums and entertainment venues will offer free entry, and naval and coast guard vessels will be open to the public.
Special prayers will be offered for the martyred freedom fighters and the country’s peace and progress. Improved diets will be provided in hospitals, prisons, and welfare centers across the nation.