United News of Bangladesh

The nation is set to celebrate this year's Independence and National Day on Thursday with elaborate programmes and due respect. The armed struggle for national independence formally began in the early hours of March 26 following the brutal crackdown on the unarmed Bengalis on the ‘black night’ of March 25. Thus March 26 is celebrated as the Independence and National Day. After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and at the cost of chastity of two lakh women, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971. The day is a public holiday. The government has taken up elaborate programmes at the national level to celebrate the Independence and National Day. The day will begin with a 31-gun salute in the morning across the country including in Dhaka. President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will lay wreaths early in the morning to pay profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of 1971. Later the families of the Birsreshtha, war-wounded freedom fighters, and brave freedom fighters led by Liberation War Affairs adviser, will also lay wreaths. People from all walks of life including foreign diplomats, political leaders, and representatives from social, cultural, and professional bodies will lay wreaths at the National Memorial. National flag will be hoisted and the national anthem will be performed at all divisions, districts, and upazilas. Student rallies and parades will also take place. On this day, the national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings. In Dhaka, the national flag will be hoisted atop prominent buildings and the important establishments will be illuminated. President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have issued separate messages on the occasion. National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. Different political parties as well as socio-cultural and professional organisations have drawn elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner. Besides, ships of the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard will be open to visitors at major rivers and ports including Chattogram Port, Mongla Port and Payra Port, as well as river terminals such as Sadarghat, Pagla Ghat and Barishal Launch Terminal from 9 am to sunset. Coast Guard vessels will also be open to visitors at Chandpur and Munshiganj launch ghats. To mark the day, commemorative postage stamps will be issued. Exhibition football matches, T20 cricket tournaments, kabaddi and ha-du-du competitions will be organised at district and upazila level. Cinema halls across the country will screen Liberation War-based films free of charge, while government and private museums will remain open to visitors without tickets from morning to evening. Recreational centres for children will also remain open. Cultural programmes will be held at tourist spots nationwide. Special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship seeking eternal peace for martyred freedom fighters, good health for living freedom fighters and national progress. Special meals will be arranged at the government hospitals, prisons, rehabilitation centres, orphanages, disability welfare centres, old-age homes and daycare centres across the country to mark the day. President Mohammed Shahabuddin extended his heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to all Bangladeshis at home and abroad. In his message, the President said “The adverse impacts of prolonged misgovernance, global economic challenges, and unexpected energy crises continue to affect our country and its people. The government remains committed to addressing these challenges with utmost sincerity and competence while pursuing efforts to build a self-reliant, dynamic, and just Bangladesh. At this moment, strong national unity, mutual empathy, and patriotism are of paramount importance.” He also called upon the people of our country, regardless of party, opinion, or path, to work together in building a just, self-reliant, secure, and productive Bangladesh for present and future generations. In his message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said “On the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day, 26 March, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the people of Bangladesh at all levels, as well as to all Bangladeshis living abroad.” “On this day, I remember with profound respect the nation's finest sons, whose sacrifices enabled us to achieve an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. At the same time, I recall with deep gratitude the brave freedom fighters who took part in the Liberation War, the mothers, sisters who suffered oppression and all those who devoted themselves to the struggle for independence. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls of all the martyrs,” he said. “The Great Independence Day inspires us anew with the spirit of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. The fundamental goal of independence was to establish a Bangladesh that is free from discrimination, and to be democratic, peaceful and prosperous,” he added. He also urged all to work together and continue to move the country forward and uphold the spirit of national unity, mutual tolerance and patriotism. He also wished success to all programmes organised on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day.

Tens of thousands of people endured a winter chill and mist on Thursday as they gathered to watch a parade in the Indian capital showcasing the country's defense capability and cultural heritage on a newly revamped ceremonial boulevard. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi looked on as an official guest at India’s Republic Day event, which marked the anniversary of the adoption of the country’s constitution on Jan. 26, 1950, nearly three years after it won independence from British colonial rule. A 144-member band and marching contingent from the Egyptian Armed Forces also joined battalions of the Indian military and police in the parade. El-Sissi, in a blue suit and matching tie, was flanked by Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wore a saffron-and-yellow–colored turban symbolizing Hindu nationalist colors. Scores of women, men, schoolchildren and folk dancers in colorful dresses performed cultural and fusion dances down the boulevard amid big cheers from the crowd. Howitzer guns, tanks, supersonic cruise missiles, anti-tank missiles and armored personnel carriers were displayed at the parade, with hundreds of men from police and military battalions marching along. Stunt performers on motorbikes also joined from the presidential palace. Other participants included a camel-mounted regiment with its mustachioed riders led by a shiny brass band with tubas. Read more: 76th Independence Day of India celebrated in Dhaka The 90-minute parade ended with a flypast featuring 75 air force fighters, including Rafale jets, transport planes and helicopters. Rajpath Avenue, built by India's former British rulers, was redeveloped as part of India’s 75th-anniversary celebrations of independence the past two years. It is lined on both sides by huge lawns, canals and rows of trees, and has been renamed "Kartavayapath” (Boulevard of Duty). Workers who helped refurbish the boulevard, their families and maintenance workers were seated in front of the main dais during the parade as part of this year's theme: “Participation of the Common People." India traditionally invites foreign leaders to witness the parade. Former French President Francois Hollande was the guest of honor in 2016 and former U.S. President Barack Obama viewed it in 2015. Ten Southeast Asian leaders watched the parade in 2018.

Independence Day, National Day and 50 years of Bangladesh-Australia ties were celebrated in Canberra with the illumination of an iconic structure with the colours of the Bangladesh national flag. The National Carillon, a large carillon situated on Aspen Island in Lake Burley Griffin, was illuminated with red and green, according to the Bangladesh High Commission Sunday. A formal reception was held which started with playing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and Australia by the Royal Military band. Also read: Pakistan greets Bangladesh on its Independence Day Representatives from the Australian Federal Parliament, ACT legislature, political leaders, heads of diplomatic missions and government officials from the Australian federal departments and local elites were present.

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. Also read: Hasina greets Freedom Fighters on Independence Day

Bangladesh is all set to celebrate the 51st Independence and National Day on Saturday amid programmes that feature paying homage to the Liberation War martyrs and vow to materialise their dreams.    On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces. After a nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved its victory on December 16, 1971. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issue separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to Bangladesh citizens at home and abroad. The day, which is a public holiday, will begin with gun-salute and placing of wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar in honour of the Liberation War martyrs. Also read: Not chanting 'Joy Bangla' means undermining independence : PM National flag will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, private, autonomous buildings with the sunrise and all the significant buildings, establishments will be illuminated. National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Shishu Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum and other social, cultural organizations will arrange seminars, cultural programmes, painting and sports competitions for children as well as screening films, documentaries on the liberation war. Freedom fighters and martyr’s families will be honoured on metropolitan, district and upazila level. Bangladesh Post Office Department will unveil a special commemorative stamp to mark the day. Meanwhile different religious organizations will hold special prayers and doa mehfil praying for the country's peace, development and prosperity. Also read: BNP works out Independence Day programme Special quality food will be distributed at institutions like hospitals, jail, child home, old age home and day care centers. Children’s parks, museums will remain open for all throughout the day. Also vessels of Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard will remain open from 2 pm till evening for people to visit at Chattogram Khulna, Mongla, Payra port, and BBangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) terminals in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Barishal and Chandpur. Similar programmes at district, upazila level, and Bangladesh embassies in different countries will be arranged to highlight the significance of the Independence Day.

French Ambassador to Dhaka Jean-Marin Schuh has said Bangladesh and France have a bright future together despite the difficult times they are going through right now.

Search engine giant Google is marking Bangladesh’s 50th Independence and National Day by replacing its regular home page graphic with a special doodle.