Savar: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today paid homage to the martyrs of the country’s War of Liberation, a day after assuming office as the 11th Prime Minister following his party’s resounding victory in the 13th parliamentary elections held on February 12.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman, in his first act as Prime Minister, honored the martyrs by placing a floral wreath at the altar of the National Memorial located on the outskirts of Dhaka at around 11:00 am. Accompanied by his new cabinet colleagues, he placed another wreath at the memorial on behalf of his cabinet.
After laying the wreaths, the Prime Minister and his cabinet stood in solemn silence, paying profound respect to the martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country’s independence in 1971. The ceremony included a state salute by a contingent drawn from the three services, accompanied by the playing of the last post by a bugler.
Following the tribute, Tarique Rahman signed the visitors’ book and planted a ‘Parijat’ tree sapling on the National Memorial premises as a symbol of remembrance and growth. In his message in the visitors’ book, he noted that after the end of a fascist regime, the country has embarked on a new democratic journey through a free and fair election.
Prime Minister Rahman expressed his humble tribute to the brave martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and acknowledged the struggles for democracy throughout Bangladesh’s history. He emphasized the aspiration to establish a safe, humane, democratic, and sovereign Bangladesh, reflecting the vision of the martyrs.
Rahman further prayed for divine guidance in fulfilling the promises made to the people and sought forgiveness for all the martyrs. His cabinet, composed of 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, was sworn in by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the South Plaza of the Sangsad Bhaban, marking the beginning of their governance with a commitment to upholding the values of democracy and independence.