People from all walks of life of Manikganj celebrated the ‘Manikganj Free Day’ in a befitting manner on December 13.
The programme of the day began at 00.01 am with the silence for one minute, to pay homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the War of Liberation in 1971 to present us with an independent nation.
Marking the day, a colorful procession was brought out in the town which paraded the main streets of the town and concluded in front of Bijoy Mancho.
Health and Family Welfare Alhaj Zahid Maleque Sawpan MP formally inaugurated the function of 15-day long historic victory fair-Muktijuddher Bijoy Mela.
Commander of Manikganj district unit of Muktijudda Command Council Engineer Tobarak Hossain Ludu hoisted the Liberation War flag during the inauguration.
To mark the Manikganj free day on December 13, the Bijoy Mela has been holding for the last 28 years. The programmes included placing wreaths at the martyrs memorial and mass graves, procession, staging drama by freedom fighters, according reception to selected freedom fighters, discussion meeting and cultural function.
Later, in the evening, a discussion meeting was held at the Bijoy mancha (victory fair stage), where Zahid Maleque Sawpan was present as chief guest.
The Victory Fair Celebration Committee Chairperson and Chairman of Manikganj Zila parishad and district Awami League president advocate Golam Mohiuddin presided over the inaugural function.
Among others, Deputy Commissioner of Manikganj SM Ferdous, Police Super Rifat Rahman Shamim, Manikganj Municipality Mayor Gazi Kamrul Huda Selim, its General Secretary and Public Prosecutor Advocate Abdus Salam, former MP and President of district Gono Forum Mofizul Islam Khan Kamal, Member Secretary of Bijoy Mela Udjapon Parishad Vice president of the district AL and Saturia Upazila Parishad Chairman Advocate Abdul Mazid Photo, Commander during Liberation War Engineer Tobarak Hossain Ludu, district Awami League Vice-president ABM Helal Uddin, former Mayor Ramjan Al, Joint secrerary AFM SultanulAzam Khan Apple, , Secretary of district CPB Advocate Mizanur Rahaman Hazrat, District and Upzila’s Comander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Command Council, Veteran freedom fighters and different socio-cultural and political leaders were addressed at the discussion meeting.
At the discussion, Zahid Maleque Sawpan urged today’s generation to be infused with a new life in perception of Liberation War and recollected the war events and paid tribute to the martyred freedom fighters.
Urging the young generation to be alert to face and foil conspiracy of the vested group the minister said that for the slight unawareness the nation lost the father of the nation which made the war criminals to rehabilitate and hatch conspiracy against the nation once again. We cannot afford to let the war criminals go untried this time, he added.
“Such types of fairs should be organised throughout the country to let the young generation learn about the glory of liberation war from the brave freedom fighters,” he opined.
“Our war is not over yet, we are still on a war against the crime, corruption and war criminals. If we are not united, we will not be able to achieve the victory, Zahid Maleque said, adding that the freedom fighters will not go back to home until the war criminals were punished for establishing the war principles.
The guests distributed prizes among the winners of rendering song, acting, dancing, and reciting poem and art competition, jointly organized by the district Shishu Academy and Shilpa Kola Academy.
Member Secretary of Bijoy Mela Udjapon Parishad Vice president of the district AL and Saturia Upazila Parishad Chairman Advocate Abdul Mazid Photo said the Mela includes over 300 stalls with different kinds of food items, toys, musical instruments, clothes and more. The Bijoy Mela of Manikganj will continue till December 27 next High lights of event of the fair are circus, putul natch (dance of doll), theatre, cultural function, cultural competition for school students, prize distribution to the winners, pala gaan and photo exhibition on Liberation War. Besides, discussions commemorating the events of the war will also be held every day during the fair.