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PM pledges to stand by war heroes

Armed Forces Day observed

UNB, Dhaka
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said the government is committed to stand by the valiant freedom fighters anytime of their needs,
"As a nation, we are proud of the heroic freedom fighters - the architects of our Independence. We are always active to place them at the highest seatofdignity as a mark of gratefulness,'’ the prime minister told the gallantry award winning freedom fighters at a reception at the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day.
The prime minister hosted Ilie reception and met the nearest ones and family members of Bit Shreshtho and other gallantry award winning freedom fighters.
Khaleda, who is also in charge of the defence ministry, said after assuming power her government had introduced a separate ministry to uphold the memory of Independence War and for overall welfare of the valiant freedom fighters.
On this day in 1971, Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air
force came into being. They along with all sections of freedom fighters launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces.
The prime minister highlighted the significance and importance of November 21 in our Independence War.
She also presented gifts to the recipients of 53 gallantry award winning freedom fighters and their family members, including close relatives of seven Bir Shreshthos.
Every year, Armed Forces Division (AFD) organises such reception and gives gitfs to gallantry award winning freedom fighters and their family members by rotation.
Khaleda enqiured about the wellbeing of award winning freedom fighters and their family members while presenting the gifts.
She asked State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Rezaul Karim and others concerned who were present at the function to take necessary actions responding to the appeal made by some family members of gallantry award winning freedom fighters at the time of receiving gifts.
A total of 676 freedom fighters were given gallantry awards for their heroic sacrifice and contribution to the Liberation War in four categories.
Addressing the function, the prime minister said steps have been taken to give state recognition to the freedom fighters through correctly finding out their heroic contribution to the War of Independence.
Listing a number of welfare activities undertaken for the freedom fighters and their families as well as projects to honour the freedom fighters, she said monthly allowance for family members of Bir Shereshtho has been arranged.
Such allowance and other facilities are being provided to war-injured freedom fighters and family members of martyred freedom fighters through Bangladesh Muktijodhha Kalyan Trust.
Monthly allowance for insolvent freedom fighters has been raised to Tk 500 and the number of beneficiaries have also been increased to 70,000, she said.
Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Moeen U Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral M Hasan Ali Khan, Chief of Air staff Air Vice-Marshal Fakhrul Azam and senior military officials were present at the function.
Earlier in the morning, President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia paid homage to the members of the Armed Forces who embraced martyrdom in the Liberation War.
The president placed wreaths at Shikha Anirban (the eternal flame) at Dhaka Cantonment at 8:00am. The prime minister placed her wreath at about 8:20am.
Both the president and the prime minister stood in solemn silence for a few minutes as bugles played last post in military tradition in presence of the chiefs of the three services.
The chiefs of the three services also placed wreaths at Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective services.
Later, they paid courtesy calls on the president at Bangabhaban and the prime minister at the Armed Forces Division.