Bangladesh marks 54th Victory Day with grandeur

The nation is celebrating the 54th Great Victory Day today, 16 December, commemorating the historic surrender of Pakistani forces on this day in 1971 after a nine-month Liberation War, marking the birth of independent Bangladesh.

On 16 December 1971, Pakistani occupying forces surrendered to the valiant freedom fighters at Dhaka's Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan), establishing Bangladesh as a sovereign state on the world map.

This year, amid a somewhat different political context following recent changes, the day is being observed with the nation paying deep gratitude and profound respect to those who sacrificed their lives for independence.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus have issued special messages on the occasion.

Extensive national programmes have been arranged across the country to observe the day with due solemnity. Various political, social and cultural organisations will also hold events. Bangladesh Television and private channels will air special programmes, while national dailies will publish supplements. The day is a public holiday.

All government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings will hoist the national flag, and important structures have already been illuminated.

Official programmes

The day will begin at dawn in Dhaka with a 31-gun salute.

At sunrise around 6:34 am, the president and chief adviser will lay wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar. They will be followed by families of Bir Shreshthas, war-wounded freedom fighters and others under the leadership of the adviser for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

Foreign diplomats, political and social organisations, and people from all walks of life will also pay homage.

National flags will be hoisted at all official buildings in Bangladesh and missions abroad, with key structures illuminated (though lights will remain off overnight on 14 December in observance).

Major roads and islands will be decorated with flags, banners, festoons and colourful markers.

In a bid to set a Guinness World Record, 54 paratroopers from the army, air force and navy will perform a joint parachute jump holding national flags to mark the 54th anniversary.

From 11:00 am at the old airport in Tejgaon, the armed forces will conduct separate flypasts, followed by special band performances. Military and paramilitary bands will perform nationwide.

Three-day victory fairs will be held in all districts and upazilas under the Liberation War Affairs Ministry.

At 9:00 am, schools will hold student assemblies, flag hoisting, national anthem, marches and displays.

On 15 December, an acrobatic show at 3:00 pm and yatra pala 'General Osmani' at 6:00 pm will be staged at Suhrawardy Udyan. On 16 December from 3:00 pm, Victory Day songs will be performed there, with new-generation artistes singing Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra songs simultaneously in all 64 districts.

Various institutions, including Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy and Liberation War Museum, will organise discussions, cultural events, children's competitions and documentary screenings. Missions abroad will hold similar programmes.

Sports events involving students will be arranged at district and upazila levels.

The president will host a reception for Bir Shreshtha families at Bangabhaban in the afternoon, with similar events nationwide for freedom fighters and martyrs' families. Bangladesh Post will issue commemorative stamps.

Improved meals will be served at hospitals, jails, orphanages and rehabilitation centres.

TV and radio channels will broadcast Liberation War-themed programmes. Parks and museums will be free entry, with war-based films screened gratis for students at cinemas.

Navy and coast guard vessels at major ports will be open to the public from 9:00 am to sunset.

Special prayers will be offered at places of worship nationwide for the martyrs, wounded fighters and national progress.

Dhaka University will hoist flags at 6:20 am, assemble at 6:30 am and depart at 6:35 am for Savar under Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Khan. A cultural programme will be held at TSC auditorium at 5:45 pm, with special prayers post-Asr.

BNP leaders will pay homage at Savar by 7:00 am and at Ziaur Rahman's grave in Chandrima Udyan at 9:00 am.

Jamaat-e-Islami will hold a youth marathon/rally at 7:00 am starting from Suhrawardy Udyan, led by Amir Dr Shafikur Rahman, along with discussions, rallies and prayers nationwide.