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Nation Celebrates

VICTORY DAY

Star Report
The nation celebrated the 46th Victory Day amid festivity yesterday, paying homage to three million martyrs and freedom fighters of the Liberation War.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar in the morning to pay tributes to the martyred freedom fighters.
As part of the day's programmes, a colourful parade was held at the National Parade Square in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
President Abdul Hamid took salute and inspected the parade as the chief guest. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, freedom fighters and top officials of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies were present.
In his message on the occasion, the president said, "The government has set Vision 2021 and Vision 2041 for transforming Bangladesh into a developed country. I'm hopeful that we would be able to materialise the 'vision' within the stipulated time by utilising our huge human resources and information technology."
He hoped that coordinated efforts of everyone would turn Bangladesh into a hunger- and poverty-free prosperous "Sonar Bangla" (Golden Bangla) as dreamt by Bangabandhu, reports UNB.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon people to get involved in building a hunger- and poverty-free "Golden Bangladesh" as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.
After the country's independence, then Soviet Union had assisted Bangladesh in reviving its economy. Their major contribution was to sweeping mines at Chittagong Port in 1972-1974 when more than 800 mariners took part in the job, said a press release.
Four former Soviet Navy officers along with their spouses are in Bangladesh to celebrate the Victory Day. They witnessed the parade yesterday and are scheduled to visit Chittagong today.
National flags were hoisted atop all government and private buildings yesterday, while the government and semi-government structures and other public places were illuminated and roads and islands in all cities were decorated with flags and festoons.
The Bangladesh embassies and high commissions abroad began the day by hoisting the national flag. It was followed by discussions, cultural programmes and special prayers seeking salvation of the departed souls of Liberation War martyrs, according to press releases.
Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship, seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country.
Destitute children were allowed to visit the Shishu Park in the capital's Shahbagh free of cost. Special meals were served in jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.
Different organisations including the Liberation War Museum, Chhayanaut, Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Sector Commanders Forum, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka Officers Club, National Museum, Nazrul Institute, Kachi Kanchar Mela and Mahila Parishad observed the day holding discussions, candlelight vigils, musical soirees, street dramas, painting shows and poetry recitation sessions.
Blood donation programmes, photo exhibitions and sports competitions also organised at Dhaka, Jahangirnagar and Rajshahi universities.
The Bangladesh Postal Service issued five commemorative postage stamps, two first-day covers, two data cards and a souvenir, marking the 46th Victory Day.
'ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION' While celebrating the day, common people urged political leaders to work for elimination of discrimination from the society and run the country in the spirit of Liberation War.
"It is very distressing when we notice that only some people are enjoying all types of state facilities and the majority are still struggling to earn their livelihood. Definitely, our freedom fighters didn't dream of such a society. We want the state to ensure a balanced society for the future generations," Elias Khan, a private employee, told The Daily Star.
Asaduzzaman, 28, a post-graduate from a public university, said it was frustrating that some corrupt people were using fake freedom fighter certificates for their own benefit.
"Our freedom fighters are our real heroes. This independent country is a gift from them where we are enjoying our lives. I request the government to take stern action against faking freedom fighter certificates," headded.
Tea seller Jahangir Hossain, 55, expressed worries over the "political instability" in the country.
"The freedom fighters had liberated the country to unite the nation. Unfortunately, we are now witnessing polarisation of people due to dirty politics," he said.
In Chittagong, the district administration accorded a reception to 150 freedom fighters at Chittagong Circuit House.
The day was celebrated in a befitting manner in Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Sherpur, Bagerhat, Narsingdi, Feni and other districts.