Bangladeshis at home and abroad celebrated Bangladesh’s 52nd Victory Day on Friday paying deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War.

Imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War and new energy, people from all walks of life joined various programmes paying profound tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War in 1971.

After a bloodstained nine-month-long war and at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and the honour of nearly half a million mothers and sisters, Bangladesh finally gained its freedom as an independent country on this glorious day, December 16, 1971 with the surrender of Pakistani occupation forces.

Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. Bangladeshis at home and abroad also celebrated the day.

The day’s programme began with a 31-gun salute.

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President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar with the rising of the sun.

Freedom fighters and their family members, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League, BNP and different other political and social organisations and people from all walks of life also placed wreaths at the National Memorial paying tributes to the martyrs.

The Prime Minister also placed a wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city’s Dhanmondi-32 area.

As part of the day’s programmes, a colourful parade was held at the National Parade Square in Tejgaon around 10:30 am.

President Abdul Hamid took salutes and inspected the parade as the chief guest while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was also present at the parade.

Freedom fighters, members of the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies took part in the parade.

Later, Sheikh Hasina released a memorial postal stamp at Ganobhaban marking the 52nd Victory Day.

Discussion meetings were held at the national level on the theme of 'Empowering the spirit of the liberation war and the best use of digital technology in building Sonar Bangla as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.’

Apart from this, reception of brave freedom fighters and martyr family members were held in the metropolis, districts and upazilas.

The national flag was hoisted atop government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices across the country.

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On this day, an exhibition of documentary films and posters based on the history and tradition of the Liberation War was organized at the ‘Swadhinota Stombha’ and the Museum of Suhrawardy Udyan.

Bangladesh embassies abroad also undertook similar programs highlighting the significance of the day.

The day was a public holiday. National dailies brought out special supplements on the occasion.

State-owned and private television channels and radios are airing month-long special programmes highlighting the significance of the Liberation War.

Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship seeking divine blessings for the peace and progress of the country.

Destitute children were allowed to visit children parks in the capital on the day for free. Improved diets were served in jails, hospitals, and orphanages across the country.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the occasion.