Panchagarh, Mar 26 (UNB) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sent sweetmeat to Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday, marking the 49th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh.

Commanding officer of BGB Battalion-18 Lt Col Ershadul Haque said they sent sweetmeat to BSF members of border post-53 and four battalions through different border points in the district to enhance the ties between the border forces of the two neighbouring countries.

He said BSF also sends sweetmeat to BGB on national days of India.
 

Dhaka, Mar 26 (UNB) – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has greeted Bangladeshis on their 49th Independence Day.

“Wishing all my brothers and sisters in Bangladesh a very happy Independence Day,” she wrote on her official Twitter handle.

Bangladeshis are celebrating their Independence and National Day with a fresh vow to take the country towards prosperity with the spirit of Liberation War.

On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by the Pakistani occupation forces.
 

Dhaka, March 26 (UNB)— The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Karachi celebrated the country’s 49th Independence and National Day on Tuesday with solemnity and zeal.

The day’s programmes began with the ceremonial hoisting of Bangladesh’s red and green national flag by the deputy high commissioner at the chancery, said a statement of the deputy high commission.

Expatriate Bangladeshi community members also joined the celebrations.

Garlands were placed on the portrait of Bangladesh’s independence hero Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the flag hoisting.

Everybody present at the programme then sang the Bangladesh national anthem.

Messages from President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the foreign minister and state minister for foreign affairs were read out.

Deputy High Commissioner Noor-E Helal Saifur Rahman paid tributes to Bangabandhu and martyrs of the Liberation War. 

He emphasised the resolution of unresolved issues between Bangladesh and Pakistan, including the trial of war criminals.

Rahman urged the expat community to work together to achieve Bangabandhu’s dream of a ‘Sonar Bangla’.

Bangabandhu declared independence on this day in 1971 after the Pakistan Army committed genocide against unarmed Bangalee civilians. Bangladesh has intensified its efforts towards attaining UN recognition for the genocide.

The country gained independence from Pakistan the same year after a bloody nine-month war that forced an estimated 10 million people to seek refuge in India. An estimated three million people were killed and 200,000 women were dishonoured by the Pakistan occupation force and their local collaborators.

Bangladesh set up a special tribunal in 2010 to try crimes committed during the war. It later set up a second tribunal to expedite the trial.

Most of the war criminals are from Jamaat-e-Islami, a party which openly sided with Pakistan and opposed Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom.
 

Dhaka, March 26 (UNB)— Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader was moved to a cabin from the intensive care unit of Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital on Tuesday afternoon after his conditions improved.

“He was shifted at 4pm local time (2pm BdST),” said Prof Dr Abu Nasar Rizvi of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

“He is doing well. His pressure and diabetes are in control,” he informed Quader’s family members and others at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, quoting doctors.

The minister underwent a bypass surgery on March 20. 

He was initially admitted to BSMMU on March 3 following breathing complications. Tests revealed three blockages in his coronary artery. He was flown to Singapore the next day for treatment.

Dhaka, Mar 26 (UNB) – Bangabhaban, the office cum residence of the president, is ready to host a reception on the occasion of Bangladesh’s 49th Independence Day and National Day on Tuesday.

President Abdul Hamid and First Lady Rashida Khanom will receive guests in the afternoon (from 5pm).

Joynal Abedin, press secretary to the president, told UNB that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to join the reception, to be held at the lawn of the presidential palace.

He said President Hamid and Prime Minister Hasina will jointly cut a cake on the occasion.

"They will first exchange greetings with war-wounded freedom fighters and family members of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients,” Joynal said. 

The president and the prime minister will assure them of extending all-out support for their welfare.

After that, they will exchange greeting with ministers, diplomats, state ministers, deputy ministers and other guests in the VVIP enclosure.

The guests

Valiant freedom fighters have been invited alongside family members of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients at the Independence Day reception.

The chief justice, former presidents, cabinet members, advisers to the prime minister, ambassadors and high commissioners, Supreme Court judges, cabinet secretary, senior lawyers, chiefs of the three services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, editors, journalist leaders, senior civil and military officers, academics, business community leaders, artistes and distinguished citizens will also join the function.

Secretaries to the president and family members of the head of state will also attend the programme. 

A group of prominent singers will perform patriotic songs.

In the morning, President Hamid and Prime Minister Hasina paid tributes to the Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial, marking the 49th Independence and National Day.