Victory Day
AL's V-Day vow: To build fully-developed, Smart Bangladesh by 2041
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said on Friday that the Victory Day's vow is to build a fully developed country by 2041 and transform Digital Bangladesh into Smart Bangladesh by suppressing all anti-national, anti-independence forces and conspiracies, including BNP.
He was speaking to the reporters after placing a wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city's Dhanmondi, marking the country’s Victory Day.
Read more: PM releases postage stamp on Victory Day
He also said all the leaders of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, the descendants of who were anti-liberation evil-forces, are engaged in anti-national conspiracy.
“When the country is moving forward, even after five decades of independence, the anti-independence forces are plotting various conspiracies against the country,” Hasan said.
“They (BNP) are giving wrong information about the country to foreigners and are involved in conspiracies at home and abroad.”
Paying respect to the martyrs of the liberation war, Hasan Mahmud said the dreams that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that led the struggle for the country's independence, could not be realized due to his assassination on August 15, 1975.
Read more: President, PM witness Victory Day parade
Under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter, Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made incredible progress in the last 14 years on the way to fulfilling the dream of Bangabandhu, he added.
“We graduated into a middle-income country and became self-sufficient in food.”
Victory Day: BNP pays homage to Liberation War martyrs
BNP on Friday paid homage to the martyred freedom fighters who made the supreme sacrifice for the country during the Liberation War in 1971, by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar, marking the Victory Day.
BNP's standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain together with party senior leaders placed wreaths at the memorial around 9am.
Later, they placed wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Banglanagar in the capital.
Read more: BNP leaders, activists being treated inhumanely in jail: BNP
The BNP leaders also offered a monajat seeking salvation of Zia’s departed soul.
Khandaker Mosharraf told the reporters, “On this victory day, we hope, we expect - the dictator-fascist government will be ousted from Bangladesh, democracy will be re-established, people's government will be established.”
Replying to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s remark on BNP’s connection with militancy, he said this government is distorting the history of the liberation war to stay in power, distorting the 50-year history of Bangladesh for their own advantage.
“But people are aware. People will judge whether they (Awami League government) are right, or whether people are right.”
BNP also took out a colourful ‘V Day Rally’ around 2:30pm from Nayapaltan in front of BNP’s Central office.
Read more: Oust govt to materialise dreams of martyred intellectuals: BNP
BNP’s different units and associate bodies also marked the day with various programmes across the country.
Earlier in the morning, they hoisted national and party flags atop the party offices marking the Victory Day.
The nation has celebrated the Victory Day on Friday to pay deep homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
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.
Anti-liberation forces are still active: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said the anti-liberation forces are still plotting to destablise the country even after 51 years of victory.
“Communal forces, militants are conspiring to thwart the joy of victory,” he told reporters after paying tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar.
Read more: Don’t allow arsonists, anti-liberation forces to assume power: PM
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, also urged the pro-liberation forces to come forward to resist them.
AL presidium member Abdur Rahman, publicity secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap were also present.
Earlier, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also paid tributes to the heroes of 1971 at the National Memorial.
Read more: Anti-liberation forces want to see ‘famine’ in Bangladesh: Minister
PM releases postage stamp on Victory Day
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday morning released a special commemorative postage stamp, an opening day cover and a data card on the occasion of great Victory Day,2022.
She unveiled the commemorative postage stamp of Taka 10, the opening day cover and the data card at a ceremony at her official residence Ganabhaban here.
Read more: PM releases postage stamp marking historic March 7
A special canceller was used on the occasion, PM’s Assistant Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayas said.
PM’s Principal Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Md Khalilur Rahman and Director General of Directorate of Posts Md Harunur Rashid were present on the occasion.
The postage stamp, first-day cover and data card will be sold from Philatelic Bureau of Dhaka GPO and will also be available at other GPOs and head post offices across the country later.
Nation celebrating Victory Day
The nation is celebrating the 52nd Victory Day, 2022 on Friday, the most joyous day when the country was born at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and the honour of nearly half a million mothers and sisters, with elaborate programmes.
On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month-long war.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar in the morning.
The head of the state placed a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at about 6:30am followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After placing the wreath, they stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of deep respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented the state salute on the occasion as the bugles played the last post.
Flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League (AL), laid another wreath at the National Memorial as the party chief.
Read more: Victory Day: President, PM pay tributes to Liberation War martyrs
Later, Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister and the president of Bangladesh Awami League paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placing two separate wreaths at his portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city’s Dhanmondi-32 area in the morning.
Freedom fighters, their family members, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League and different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life also paid homage to martyrs.
Various programmes will be held today to pay deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War in 1971.
Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. Bangladeshis will celebrate the day at home and abroad.
The day’s programme began with a 31-gun salute.
Discussion meetings will be 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 will be held in the metropolis, districts and upazilas.
The national flag will be hoisted atop government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices across the country.
On this day, an exhibition of documentary films and posters based on the history and tradition of the Liberation War will be organized at the ‘Swadhinota Stombha’ and the Museum of Suhrawardy Udyan.
Bangladesh embassies abroad will also undertake similar programs highlighting the significance of the day.
Read more:| Victory Day: PM pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs
The day is a public holiday. National dailies brought out special supplements on the occasion.
State-owned and private television channels and radios will broadcast month- long special programmes highlighting the significance of the Liberation War.
Receptions will be accorded to the freedom fighters and family members of martyrs at city, district and upazila levels.
Destitute children will be allowed to visit the children park in the capital on the day free of cost. Improved diets will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages across the country.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion.
South Korean envoy Lee greets Bangladesh on Victory Day
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-Keun has congratulated the government and people of Bangladesh for its remarkable socio-economic achievements during the past five decades.
"I look forward to our joint celebration of the 50 years of diplomatic ties between Korea and Bangladesh in 2023 which will be a significant momentum for our two countries in taking the bilateral relations to a new height," he said in a message marking the Victory Day of Bangladesh.
Read more: Victory Day: PM pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs
As a country which has gone through a similar turbulent history of struggling for the independence and sovereignty of their nation as Bangladesh in the 20th century, the Republic of Korea joins wholeheartedly in the celebration of the Victory Day of Bangladesh this year, said the Ambassador.
Victory Day: PM pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, marking the 52nd Victory Day.
Sheikh Hasina placed floral wreaths at the altar of the memorial around 6:34 am to pay homage to the great heroes of the country.
After placing the wreath, she 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 on the occasion when the bugles played the last post.
Flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League (AL), laid another wreath at the National Memorial as the party chief.
The Prime Minister also signed the visitor's book kept there.
Later, Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister and the president of Bangladesh Awami League paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placing two separate wreaths at his portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city’s Dhanmondi-32 area in the morning.
Read more:Bangladesh set to celebrate Victory Day Friday
The prime minister will also join the military parade programme at National Parade Square at 10:30pm, when President Abdul Hamid will take salutes and inspect the parade as the chief guest.
She will enjoy the attractive march past, spectacular fly-past and aerobatic display there.
The Nation is celebrating its 52nd Victory Day with elaborate programmes paying homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War.
On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month war.
Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day.
The people of Bangladesh at home and abroad are celebrating the Victory Day, the most joyous day when the country was born at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and the honour of nearly half a million women.
Read more: Indian war veterans to join Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrations in Dhaka
Rare images capturing a nation’s valour and its founding father’s charisma
On the eve of Bangladesh’s Victory Day, the exhibition titled ‘Witnessing History in the Making: Photographs by Anne de Henning’ was inaugurated at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka.
The exhibition, curated by Ruxmini Reckvana Q Choudhury, showcases some rare and iconic photographs that celebrate Bangladesh’s indomitable courage during the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistani military and the man who led the nation during its most trying and finest hour, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On Thursday, the exhibition was inaugurated with the presence of State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Trustee of Center for Research and Information (CRI) Nasrul Hamid, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Director of Samdani Art Foundation Nadia Samdani, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and others.
Renowned French photographer Anne de Henning was supposed to attend the opening of the exhibit, however, she was unable to join due to a flight delay.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said: "Henning was a fearless young woman. She traveled across Bangladesh to take photos; fear could not stand in her way."
"I told Henning that you only had your camera to accompany you. And then I asked if she was concerned about her safety," Nasrul said.
"She said she knew nothing called fear at that time and was full of courage, and the photos that she took are a testament to that. Only one name – 'Mujib' – inspired her in her journey. She came to Bangladesh again in 1972 to discover more about her source of inspiration."
"As Henning came here, she found Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sitting on the stage. The colourful photos of that time can be seen at this exhibition," Nasrul said.
Thwart conspiracies to sustain national dev: PM asks the nation
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the nation to tear the web of local and international conspiracies to continue the progress of Bangladesh further.
“On this Victory Day, being energized by the spirit of the Liberation War, let’s take a vow collectively that we will take the development journey of Bangladesh forward by breaking the web of all conspiracies,” she said.
The premier made the call in an address to the nation through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar at 7:30 pm on the eve of the Victory Day.
The V-Day, marking the victory in Bangladesh's nine-month War of Liberation against Pakistani occupation forces in 1971, will be celebrated on Friday.
She also called on the nation to fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by establishing a happy, prosperous non-communal Bangladesh.
Hasina said when the country is moving forward overcoming various adversities, a quarter that is against independence and development is trying to create anarchy. “See their past history. A part of them not only opposed the independence of Bangladesh, they killed people, being collaborators of the Pakistani occupation forces. After independence, Bangabandhu banned their politics and brought war criminals to justice,” she said.
Read more: We uphold human rights in Bangladesh: PM Hasina
But BNP founder Ziaur Rahman rehabilitated them (anti-liberation elements) in politics after seizing the power illegally following the assassination of the Father of the Nation with his family on 15th August 1975. “Being rehabilitated, they again started the politics of killing and terrorism,” she added.
Pointing at BNP, the PM said another group born and bred from the cantonment in the pocket of a general and there are only blood stains on the hands of this party. Its founder Ziaur Rahman was directly involved in the assassination plot of the Father of the Nation.
Hasina warned that the descendants of the vultures of 1971 and the hyenas of 1975 are still active in this country.
“They hurt the country with teeth and claws whenever they get a chance,” she said, adding that they can’t accept that the common people remain in a good condition and the local and foreign conspirators become active.
“But, the people of Bangladesh have identified them. They (the people) can no longer be misled by conspiracies,” said the PM.
Had BNP-Jamaat been in power, such development won’t be possible:
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League, said the anti-liberation forces were in power for 29 years after 1975 and they plundered the resources of the country.
She said the democratic trend has been continuing from 2009 to 2022 and the voting rights of people remain ensured. That is why today Bangladesh has got the status of a developing country.
“Had BNP-Jamaat alliance been in power (2009-2022), Bangladesh would never have made such progress. Could not be a developing country. Now, it is up to you, the people of the country, to choose what you want - a continuation of a dignified life or a life with the hardships to be inflicted by the mischief of BNP-Jamaat alliance?” she said.
The premier said the BNP top leader is convicted in orphanage money embezzlement case and another top leader is a fugitive and convicted in money laundering, 10-truck arms smuggling and the August 21 grenade attack cases. “Why would the general people go to vote for them?” she said.
“Losing faith in the people of the country, BNP-Jamaat has now hired some mercenaries to malign the country to foreigners. They are using smuggled money and defaming the country,” she said.
Focusing on the misrules of the BNP-Jamaat regime and the 2013-15 arson violence unleashed by them, Hasina said the people of Bangladesh rejected them in the 2008 election and the people did not vote for the BNP-Jamaat alliance in 2014 and 2018 elections as well. “Being rejected by the people, they are now engaged in conspiracies to come to power through an undemocratic way,” she said.
Read more: PM thanks JaPa for playing positive role in parliamentary democracy
Prices of daily essentials become normal:
Describing the government of Bangladesh Awami League as a people's government, Hasina said her government’s main aim is to work for the welfare of people and they never want people to suffer.
Due to economic reasons, the prices of daily necessities have increased. Now it largely started becoming normal. Inflation is also declining. “I want to assure you that we will adjust the price as soon as that of any commodity- including fuel-- drops in the world market,” she said.
She said the import-dependent countries fell in troubles with the rise of transport cost and the prices of commodities in the international markets, induced by the Ukraine-Russia war, economic sanctions and counter-sanctions.
“Considering the interests of the common people, we are collecting and supplying the products we need – no matter wherever these are available in the world and whatever prices are,” she said.
The PM stressed the need for boosting agricultural production and renewed her call not to leave a single inch of arable land uncultivated in order to fight the ongoing crisis.
Citing that it is normal that a crisis may come, she said, “Do not be afraid of the crisis. With the help of people, we have successfully tackled the coronavirus pandemic. We will also deal with the current global recession, Inshallah. I want your cooperation for this.”
Reserve is sufficient for five-month import
Talking about the reserves of foreign currencies, the PM said now the country has a sufficient reserve of foreign currencies to meet the five-month import expenditures.
“Many people are making various fabricated comments about our foreign exchange reserves. It is enough if there is a reserve to cover only three-month import expenditure. But now we’ve a reserve that is sufficient to meet five-month import expenditure,” she said.
She also explained the reasons as to why the reserve has declined from US$ 48 billion after the Covid-19 period.
Don’t pay heed to rumours over bank money:
Sheikh Hasina said panic is being created by spreading rumours that there is no money in the banks.
“Don't pay heed to rumours unnecessarily. There is no shortage of money in banks. Don't invite your own danger by keeping your hard earned money at home. Everything of us --investment, remittance inflow and import-export situation-- remains normal,” she said.
Highlighting her government’s successes, Hasina said, “The country has reached a new height of socio-economic development in our last 14 years. Bangladesh has now graduated to the list of developing countries. The country now is self-sufficient in production of food grains.”
She said the poverty rate declined from 40 percent to 20 percent, and the per capita income increased from US$ 543 to US$ 2,824 and the literacy rate from 45 percent to 75 percent.
She said the government has recruited some 22,000 doctors and 40,000 nurses and other health workers since 2009.
The PM also focused on the development of other sectors including energy and connectivity, infrastructure, social safety net particularly food programmes for poor people, and agriculture.
On the occasion of Great Victory Day 2022, the prime minister extended her sincere greetings to all the citizens of Bangladesh living at home and abroad.
Bangladesh’s achievements made it an example for other countries to emulate: UN
On the eve of the Victory Day, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on Thursday said the United Nations stands with Bangladesh in partnership and wished all Bangladeshi nationals, in the country and abroad a very happy Victory Day.
“Bangladesh’s achievements in human development and disaster response, long before it became a middle-income country, made it an example for other countries to emulate,” she said congratulating Bangladesh on Victory Day.
Read more: Bangladesh set to celebrate Victory Day Friday
On 16 December, Bangladesh will celebrate its 51st anniversary of Victory Day.
The country has been on an extraordinary voyage from being a war and famine-ravaged newborn nation, to its current standing as a United Nations member state standing at the threshold of LDC graduation, and providing shelter to nearly a million Rohingya refugees, Lewis said.
“Bangladesh too has contributed to shaping the UN’s development agenda and peace operations globally. Bangladesh has also been a vocal advocate for multilateralism, climate justice and the interests of least developed countries,” she said.
Bangladesh sponsored the Culture of Peace resolution that was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1999.
Read more: Indian war veterans to join Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrations in Dhaka
And it was thanks to Bangladesh’s advocacy that the UN General Assembly recognized the International Mother Language Day in 2008.
“Bangladesh’s advocacy internally for the rights of the most vulnerable, and its constitution illustrates the country’s determination to be a democracy in which fundamental human rights and freedoms and respect for the dignity and worth of the human person shall be guaranteed,” said the UNRC.
The UN has been a partner of the government and the people of Bangladesh since its birth. Starting with UNHCR in 1971, 22 UN agencies now have operations in the country.
“Wishing everyone a happy Victory Day!,” Lewis said.