The nation is celebrating the 51st Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bangalee people, today (Thursday) as the country achieved its victory over the Pakistani occupation forces on this day 50 years ago, after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation.
On December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women.
The celebration of the Victory Day this year has added a new dimension as the day is set to be celebrated coinciding with the two giant celebrations -birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of the country's independence.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the people of the country by issuing separate messages on the occasion and paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971.
Marking the two celebrations, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee has taken up a two-day special programme titled 'the Great Hero of the Great Victory' at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad in the city from December 16 to 17.
At the beginning of the first day's programme, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to administer an oath to the nation at 4:30pm today as part of the celebrations.
At the second session of the programme, a discussion is going to be held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
President M Abdul Hamid will be present as the chief guest while his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind will be the guest of honour at the discussion.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will speak at the event while Chief Coordinator of the implementation committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury will deliver the welcome speech.
On the occasion, Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana will present the "Sraddha Smarak- Mujib Chironton" to the guest of honour.
On December 17, a cultural function will be organised on the Sangsad premises at around 5.30pm.
All programmes marking the giant celebrations will be held maintaining the health guidelines in face of the global pandemic COVID-19.
Besides, the programmes marking the 'Victory Day' also include a 31-gun salute, placing of wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags atop all government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.
The victory day programmes also include decorating city streets with miniature national flags and colourful festoons, and illumination of important buildings and establishments, roads and street islands at night.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar on the outskirts of the capital with the rising of the sun.
The family members of Bir Sreshthos, wounded freedom fighters and Bir Muktijoddhas, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life are expected to pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Contingents of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force as well as Freedom Fighters, Para-military forces, law enforcement agencies and various ministries of the government will participate in the parade to be held at the National Parade Square in the city at 10.30am.
President Abdul Hamid will be present there and take salute while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inspect the parade.
The day is a public holiday.
National dailies will bring out special supplements on the occasion while Bangladesh Postal Department will release memorial postage stamps.
The state-owned and private televisions and radios are broadcasting special programmes highlighting the Liberation War.
Marking the day, improved diets are being served to inmates of jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.
Besides, various political, social and cultural organisations including Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, are celebrating the day with different programmes.
A discussion on the best utilization of digital technology and upholding the spirit of the Liberation War in building Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be held on the occasion.
Besides, receptions of valiant freedom fighters and family members of martyrs are being held in the metropolis, districts and upazilas.
Following the health guidelines, special prayers are being offered at mosques and other places of worship, seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
Similar programmes are being taken at district and upazila levels as well as Bangladesh missions abroad, highlighting the significance of the day.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has requested the people not to do any damage to the flower garden of the memorial while laying wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar during the 'Victory Day' celebrations on December 16.