Bangladesh observed the Independence and National Day on Saturday, with a fresh vow to take the nation towards prosperity with the Liberation War spirit.

On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence, following a crackdown on unarmed Bengalis on the midnight of March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces.

After a nine-month war with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved victory on December 16, 1971.

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In the morning, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar.

The head of the state first placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial, followed by the Prime Minister.

After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.

Prime Minister Hasina also paid tributes to the Father of the Nation by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi.

Also read: Independence Day celebrated in New Delhi

Later, she unveiled a commemorative postage stamp on Salimpur Wireless Station, the receiving and transmitting station of the declaration of Independence by Bangabandhu, in a ceremony at her official residence Ganobhaban in Dhaka on the occasion of Independence Day.

As in the past, the Prime Minister sent flowers, fruits and sweetmeats to the war-wounded freedom fighters and members of the martyred families at Martyred and War-wounded Freedom Fighters’ Rehabilitation Centre (Muktijoddha Tower-1) on Gaznavi Road in the capital’s Mohammadpur area as a mark of her good wishes for them.

National anthem 'Amar Sonar Bangla' was sung simultaneously across the country and Bangladeshi missions abroad in the morning.

The national flag was hoisted atop government and private buildings while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places were illuminated.

Different socio-cultural and political organisations celebrated the day with elaborate programmes.

National dailies brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private radio and television channels aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Special prayers were offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country, seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation, four national leaders, martyrs of Liberation War and all other patriotic sons of the soil.

Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Shishu Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum and other social, cultural organizations arranged seminars, cultural programmes, painting and sports competitions for children as well as screening of films, documentaries on the Liberation War..

Special diet was distributed at institutions like hospitals, jail, child home, old age home and day care centres.

Children’s parks, museums remained open for all throughout the day. Also vessels of Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard were opened from 2 pm till evening for people to visit at Chattogram Khulna, Mongla, Payra port, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) terminals in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Barishal and Chandpur.

Similar programmes at district, upazila level, and Bangladesh embassies in different countries were arranged to highlight the significance of the Independence Day.