On this day of victory, the nation will remember all the brave freedom fighters of 1971 with deep sorrow and respect. Countless people will flock to the National Memorial in Savar, carrying flags and flowers, to pay homage.
Today is the day of eternal glory for Bengalis. The final victory in the great Liberation War was achieved on December 16, 1971. Today, the nation will celebrate the 55th Victory Day with the immense joy and glory of winning the war and the pain of the sacrifice of countless heroic sons.
Crowds will descend on the National Memorial in Savar from early morning to pay their deepest respects to the martyrs of the Liberation War. From President Md. Shahabuddin, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus, advisors, freedom fighters, diplomats, political party leaders and people from all walks of life, young and old, will come with flowers. They will be accompanied by the red-green flag obtained through a sea of blood.
Victory Day will be celebrated today in the capital as well as across the country with humble respect and gratitude to the martyrs of the Liberation War. Today is a government holiday.
Justice was not established in the state of Pakistan, which was formed on the basis of the two-nation theory after the end of British colonial rule. West Pakistan constantly exploited, deprived and exploited the Bengali people of East Pakistan. They attacked the mother tongue and culture of Bengalis. The Bengali state language movement gradually transformed into a struggle for freedom and independence.
At one stage, the Western rulers chose the path of barbarity to end the Bengali desire for independence forever. On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani invading troops committed genocide on innocent, unarmed sleeping Bengalis with terrible weapons like tanks, cannons, and machine guns. Such a heinous genocide by their own army against the people of their own country was rare in history
Ever since the Pakistani invading forces began their genocide, the brave sons of Bengal have been resisting them and fighting for their freedom. The final victory came after the blood of three million martyrs, the honor of two hundred thousand mothers and sisters, and the loss of vast wealth in the last nine months of bloody war.
BSS reported that on the occasion of the great Victory Day, President Md. Shahabuddin and Principal Advisor Muhammad Yunus gave separate messages. In the messages, they extended their warm greetings and congratulations to Bangladeshis living in the country and abroad on the victory and paid deep tribute to the martyred freedom fighters. They remembered with gratitude all the brave freedom fighters and the affected families
President Md. Shahabuddin said in his message, ‘The day is a symbol of our national pride, a memorial to the ultimate success of independence. To deliver the true benefits of independence to the doorsteps of the people, democracy must be given a stronger and more institutionalized form. A culture of tolerance, mutual respect and unity must be developed in every aspect of individual, social and state life.’
The President said in his message that the goal of the Liberation War was not limited to political freedom, but also to establish economic freedom and social justice. In the past five decades, the people have not yet achieved full political and socio-economic freedom. In this context, the student uprising of 2024 has raised new hopes for building a discrimination-free, corruption-free and justice-based Bangladesh.
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said in his message, “May this Victory Day be a day of renewed unity in national life. A day to take an oath to move forward towards the true empowerment of the people, embracing the spirit of the great Liberation War, and to protect the new journey that has been initiated on the path of democratic transition at any cost.
The Chief Advisor said in the message, ‘The new sun of independence that rose through the victory in the Liberation War has repeatedly faded in the past years due to dictatorship and misrule. Through the July mass uprising, we once again got the opportunity to establish a democratic state system free from discrimination, corruption and dictatorship. Today, through the collective participation of all the people of the country, we are moving towards the successful completion of the comprehensive reform program that the current interim government has undertaken to build a strong foundation for a developed and well-governed Bangladesh.’
The Chief Advisor called on everyone, regardless of religion, caste, or ethnic group, to join hands and move forward to build a safe, happy, and beautiful Bangladesh for the new generation to fulfill the freedom achieved through much struggle.
The government’s programs on Victory Day include the Armed Forces Division starting the day with 31 gun salutes at sunrise. Hoisting of the national flag at government and private buildings. Apart from this, there will be a parade Various political parties, socio-cultural organizations will hold their respective programs.
Contributed by Prothom Alo Bangladesh.
