The nation is celebrating the 55th Independence and National Day today (March 26) in a befitting manner.
The day's programmes started by heralding gun salutes early in the morning as a mark of profound respect for the heroic struggle of this nation, which suffered a protracted subjugation under foreign rules from time to time till achieving their coveted Independence in 1971.
The national flag has been hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings with the rises of sun while all streets and important city intersections have been decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.
Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands have been illuminated with colourful lights.
The National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar is the main venue of the day's celebration.
On the day, Chief Adviser (CA) Dr. Muhammad Yunus laid a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar in the early morning as a mark of profound respect for the martyrs.
People from all walks of life, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war-wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies, also placed wreaths at the national memorial in the morning.
The day is a public holiday.
Besides, reception will be hosted for valiant freedom fighters and family members of martyred at metropolitan city, district and upazila levels.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Postal Department will release commemorative postage stamps. Special prayers will be offered at different mosques and other worship places seeking eternal peace of the souls of martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
Improved diets will be served in hospitals, prisons cells, orphanages, old-age homes, vagabond organizations, children's daycare centers and other similar institutions across the country.
On the day, all children's parks and museums will be kept open for all without tickets across the country.
Bangladesh Navy is going to open its ships at different places across the country for the visitors marking the day.
Seven ships including BNS Chithra would be displayed at Dhaka Sadarghat, BNS Atandra at Pagla Naval Jetty in Narayanganj, BNS Samuddra Obhijan at Naval Berth-2, New Mooring in Chattogram, BNS Oparejyo at BIWTA Launch Terminal in Khulna, BNS Dholeshwari at Digraj Naval Berth of Mongla, BNS Padma at Marine workshop Jetty in Barishal and BNS Shaheed Farid in BIWTA Ghat at Chandpur respectively.
People can visit the ships from 12 noon to 4pm on that day, said an ISPR press release.
National dailies bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels air month-long special programmes on the Liberation War highlighting the significance of the day.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and other social and cultural organisations have arrange discussions, cultural programmes and sports competition while painting competition, essay and debate competitions are being organised for children.
Special prayers are being 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 Father of the Nation, four national leaders, martyrs of the War of Liberation and all other patriotic sons of the soil.
The missions abroad are also celebrating the day through similar programmes.
Every year, the March 26 brings the most tragic reminiscence of the history's blackest episode that heralded a nine-month bloody ordeal from the night of March 25, 1971, achieving the long-cherished independence on December 16 the same year at the cost of a sea of blood.
BDST: 0905 HRS, MAR 26, 2025
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