Transforming country into “Smart Bangladesh” can be a fitting tribute to the millions of martyrs, Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed has conveyed. In a post on his verified Facebook profile, he wrote: “Our ancestors made their ultimate sacrifice to allow us to breathe and grow in an independent country, our motherland Bangladesh.” “Ironically, years after our independence these anti liberation forces, who colluded with Pakistan Army to prevent the birth of our country, grabbed state power. During their rule, an all-out state sponsored attempt had been unleashed to wipe out the ideals and legacies of our blood-soaked freedom,” the post reads. “But with bravery we have overcome such evil forces braving a sea of obstacles. “Importantly, we still have a long path ahead to make our nation more prosperous and developed one. Now the Awami League led government has put up a tireless fight to help the economy grow despite global headwinds. “Like her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who united the entire nation for freedom, breaking the wall of caste and creed, Sheikh Hasina is also trying her best to earn economic emancipation for her people. “Marking this Independence Day let’s take a pledge — “Together we will take this land into newer height — transforming into Smart Bangladesh. “Let it be our glowing tribute to millions of war heroes who gave their lives and war heroines who were violated by Pakistan Army with local collaborators,” Sajeeb Wazed wrote.

President Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam on Sunday hosted a reception marking the country's 53rd Independence and National Day at Bangabhaban. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President-elect Md Sahabuddin joined the reception. Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique also attended. Around 2500 guests were invited to the reception after a long gap of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cabinet members, advisers, state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant Freedom Fighters and family members of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens attended the reception. Newspaper editors and journalist leaders also attended the gathering alongside top civil and military officials. On the occasion, President Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cut a cake. They exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other dignitaries and guests at the function. Later, the reception was followed by an iftar party. A special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Pesh Imam of Bangabhaban Jame Mosque Maulana M Saiful Kabir conducted the munajat. Earlier, the President paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial here on the outskirts of the capital early this morning, marking the day. The President first placed the wreath at the altar of the memorial followed by the Prime Minister. After laying the wreaths, the President stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971. A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute at that time while the bugles played the last post. The President also signed the visitors’ book kept on the memorial premises

 Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin on Sunday said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had planted trees extensively in the country with the call of green revolution, enacted laws to protect environment and wildlife. Taking Bangabandhu as an ideal and inspiration, work is being done to turn the country into a pollution-free green Bengal. The Minister of Environment said these things as the chief guest at a discussion program titled 'The father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historical leadership and development of the country' organized at the Forest Department on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day 2023. At the beginning of the speech, the minister remembered all the brave freedom fighters including the father of the nation with deep respect and said, without Bangabandhu the history of Bangladesh cannot be written. Mentioning that Bangabandhu united the Bengali nation and prepared the countrymen step by step, the minister said, "His able daughter Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given due status to the brave freedom fighters and is taking the country forward." Deputy Minister of the Ministry Begum Habibun Nahar, Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed and Additional Secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun spoke as special guests in the discussion program. Before the meeting, the environment minister and the guests placed wreaths on the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After the discussion, prayers were offered for the salvation of the souls of the brave martyrs and the prosperity of the country and the people.

 The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observed the “Genocide Day” on Saturday commemorating one of the most brutal genocides in world history that was committed by the Pakistan army on 25th March in 1971 in Bangladesh. The Embassy organized elaborate programs to pay deep homage to the martyrs who were killed mercilessly by the Pakistani military junta’s operation code named “Operation Searchlight” on the black night of 25th March in that year. The day’s programmes began with observance of one-minute silence to pay profound respect to the martyrs of the War of Liberation. This was followed by screening of a documentary on the brutalities of the Pakistani army in Bangladesh in 1971. The messages issued by President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read out by Minister (Commerce) Md Salim Reza and Minister (Political) Md Rasheduzzaman. Taking part in the discussion, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran paid rich tributes to the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and three million martyrs of the Liberation War. Recalling the Pakistani army’s atrocities in the War of Liberation War, he said the Pakistan army launched the infamous “Operation Searchlight” in Dhaka on the night of March 25 in 1971 as part of their blueprint to thwart the Awami League's assumption of office following its victory in the elections held in 1970. He described the March 25 massacre as the worst genocide in human history and mentioned that the systematic mass killing and atrocities perpetrated by the Pakistani junta on the unarmed Bangalees on that day left thousands of people dead and a trail of destruction which continued till December 1971. Ambassador Imran said Bangabandhu formally proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh at the first hour of the 26th March 1971 after the Pakistan army’s barbaric attack. Under Bangabandhu’s undisputed leadership, Bangladesh achieved ultimate victory on December 16 in 1971 after the nine-month bloody war against Pakistan, he said. The Ambassador called upon all to work unitedly to build “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal) as dreamt by Bangabandhu and join the journey of establishing a “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War. Minister (Economic) Md. Mahadee Hasan also took part in the discussion and urged all to highlight the issue of Pakistani army’s brutality on 25th March before the world community to get the international recognition of the genocide. The programs ended with offering a special prayer seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of the War of Liberation. First Secretary (Visa & Passport Wing) Muhammad Abdul Hye Milton conducted the programs.

While their hands holding rifles were tough on the enemies, their lips still carried the song manifesting the spirit of independence. Freedom fighters singing the national anthem, in chorus, testifies to that spirit in a video captured by war correspondent Geeta Mehta in 1971 during the Liberation War. Quoting the simple yet profound first line of the national anthem, “My golden Bengal, I love you,” Bangabandhu’s grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq posted the video on his Facebook account today, making Independence Day. The video appearing in Geeta Mehta’s documentary “Dateline Bangladesh” shows freedom fighters clad in undervests and lungi -- clothes typical of commoners -- singing the song standing on a green field. Mehta was working for the US TV network NBC in 1971. Wartime melodies resonated with the spirit of Bengali nationalism during the 1971 Liberation War that inspired the nation to resist the genocide launched by Pakistan army and fight for freedom. In observance of Independence Day, a number of war-time songs performed by different bands at this year’s ‘Joy Bangla Concert’ have also been shared from the Facebook page of Young Bangla, the largest youth platform in the country. This year’s Joy Bangla Concert was attended by Radwan Mujib with the prime minister making a surprise appearance. The concert paid tribute to the historic March 7, 1971 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Radwan Mujib, also a CRI trustee, took initiatives to relaunch the wartime songs through Joy Bangla Concert to instill in youths the essence of independence earned through the sacrifice of three million martyrs.  

Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem has said there are strong documentary and eyewitness evidence that genocide was committed on Bangladeshi soil in 1971, yet the world has failed to recognise it. She made the remarks at a special discussion, titled ‘1971 Bangladesh Genocide and International Recognition’. Observing the Genocide Day (March 25), Bangladesh High Commission in London hosted the discussion at the ‘Bangabandhu Lounge’ of the mission. Eminent Bangladeshi journalist and columnist Syed Badrul Ahsan delivered the keynote speech at the event.    The Bangladesh high commissioner cited several international media reports on the genocide, including Anthony Mascarenhas' lead article in the Sunday Times headlined "Genocide" and similar reports on mass atrocities by The Telegraph and BBC that shocked the world and prompted global leaders to act. The envoy said, “In April 1971, Sir Peter Shore, MP, who was chair of the UK’s Foreign Affairs Committee, moved a motion in the UK parliament condemning atrocities committed in erstwhile East Pakistan, followed by another motion, moved by Action Bangladesh and supported by over 233 cross-party members, calling for the end of genocide in East Bengal and the recognition of Bangladesh.” The high commissioner commended the US Congress resolution led by Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Steve Chabot, which she said needs to be emulated in the British parliament, and reaffirmed her commitment to working with British parliamentarians towards the recognition of the Bangladesh genocide in the UK parliament. Expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for declaring March 25 as Bangladesh Genocide Day, the High Commissioner said: "Bangladesh High Commission, London has organised many events including one with the University College, London for creating global awareness about the 1971 Bengali genocide and getting international recognition of it.” She called upon British-Bangladeshi politicians, academia, professionals and community leaders to create greater awareness of the Bangladesh genocide amongst British political, humanitarian and think-tank circles. Syed Badrul Ahsan in his keynote speech said, “Successive Pakistan governments and state failed in their moral, ethical and legal obligations to seek apology for the atrocities committed in Bangladesh in 1971.” He said, “The massacre of 1971 in Bangladesh is in no way less significant than those in Cambodia, Bosnia and Rwanda,” and suggested coordinated diplomatic efforts in Bangladesh and abroad for international recognition of the genocide. British-Bangladeshi social activist Shahina Chowdhury and a prominent British-Bangladeshi community leader Abdul Ahad Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion, paying their respects to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs who were killed in the genocide and during the nine-month long Liberation War. Messages from the president and prime minister on the day were read out and special prayers were offered, seeking eternal peace for Bangabandhu, his martyred family members, the martyrs of March 25 and the Liberation War.  A one-minute silence was observed in honour of the martyrs of 1971 genocide. A documentary on the Bangladesh genocide was also screened.  

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said the tremendous achievements scored by the Bangladesh government and people have been widely commended by the international community. "China-Bangladesh friendship boasts a long history and will grow from strength to strength," he said in a congratulatory message marking Independence Day of Bangladesh. Premier of the State Council Li Qiang and State Councilor of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang sent messages of felicitation separately to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen respectively. At present, President Xi said, Bangladesh and China are enjoying solid and profound political trust, and practical cooperation has been advancing steadily. He said the joint construction of the “The Belt and Road Initiative” has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and the two peoples. "I attach great importance to the development of China-Bangladesh relations, and I stand ready to work with you to push China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new height," President Xi said in his message to President Abdul Hamid. "On the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the independence of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in my own name, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to Abdul Hamid and to the government and people of your country," Xi said. In recent years, he said, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in various economic and social undertakings, making great strides toward the dream of “Sonar Bangla”.  

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy has said the joint efforts by Bangladesh and Russia in promoting bilateral trade, economic and energy cooperation will hopefully further benefit people of both countries. "I am confident that in the coming years Bangladesh will see new remarkable achievements and ensure welfare and prosperity for all its citizens," he said, congratulating Bangladesh on Independence Day. The Russian ambassador extended sincere congratulations to the Bangladeshi people and the entire Bengali diaspora around the world on the occasion of the Independence Day. "This date symbolizes the selfless struggle of your nation for freedom and determination of your own fate," Ambassador Mantytskiy said. The current success of Bangladesh in various fields proves that the relentless efforts and sacrifice of the freedom fighters served for the greater good of the future generations, he said. Back in 1971, the Soviet Union supported the Bangladeshi struggle for independence and was at the forefront to recognize the new sovereign state.  "Over the past 52 years, your country has made significant progress, having overcome the devastating consequences of the war to turn into a self-reliant state with rapidly developing economy and tremendous potential," said the Russian ambassador.   

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has said he is confident that further development of constructive bilateral cooperation fully meets the core interests of the people of Russia and Bangladesh, and goes in line with the promotion of regional security and stability. "The relations between our two countries are based on the good traditions of friendship and mutual respect," Putin said in a congratulatory message addressed to President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  "Please accept my warmest greetings on the national holiday of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh — the Independence Day," the message reads. Putin wished President Hamid and PM Hasina sound health and success, as well as peace and prosperity to all their compatriots.  

The death toll from the massive explosion that ripped through a 5-storey building in Dhaka’s Gulistan area has risen to 25, with one more victim succumbing to his injuries today.  The deceased was identified as Md Hasan, 32, son of Abu Ahmed Siddique of Noakhali’s Begumganj upazila. Hasan had been undergoing treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with 12% burn injuries. He succumbed to his injuries around 9:11 am today, said Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp. On March 7, at least 17 people were killed and over 100 were injured in a massive explosion in the 5-storey building near a BRTC bus counter in the capital’s Gulistan area. A sanitary materials shop on the ground floor of the building, BRAC Bank office on one of the floors and an adjacent 7-storey building were damaged but the building didn't collapse. Meanwhile, two bodies were recovered from the debris on March 9. Musa Haider, 45, a victim succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on the same day, raising the death toll to 20. Meanwhile, firefighters recovered the body of another victim from the debris on March 9 while three other victims identified as Yeasin Arafat, Mirza Azam and Zahan Sardar Selim succumbed to their injuries at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on March 9, March 11 and March 14 respectively. Three people, including the owner of the building in Gulistan, were arrested in a case over the blast.