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at 9:57am, escorted by a ceremonial motorcade of military police.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishraque Hossain, Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, chiefs of the three services, the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division, and the liberation war affairs secretary received Tarique.

He later joined other officials in receiving the president.

Then, President Shahabuddin, accompanied by Major General SM Asadul Haque, parade commander and General Officer Commanding of the 9th Infantry Division and Area Commander of Savar, inspected the parade from an open jeep and took the salute as the chief guest.

Contingents from Muktijuddha Sangsad, Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Bangladesh Police, Coast Guard, Ansar and Village Defence Party, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps, Bangladesh Jail, and combined female contingents participated in the parade.

Shahabuddin, Tarique and Zaima also witnessed flag-bearing skydives, armoury displays by different regiments, spectacular fly-pasts, and aerobatic performances.

Before departing, the president and PM exchanged pleasantries with the contingent commanders.

March 26 recalls the tragic events of March 25, 1971, which began a nine-month war culminating in the country’s independence on December 16, 1971.

Prayers were also offered for martyred president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia at their graves in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, as well as for the welfare of the country and the success of the present government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Special prayers were offered seeking forgiveness for the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 Anti-autocracy Movement, and the 2024 July Uprising.

After visiting the graves, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed optimism that Bangladesh would become a democratic and prosperous country under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Meanwhile, British King Charles III extended greetings to the president and people of Bangladesh, highlighting the enduring partnership between the two nations and the contribution of the Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK.

The United States and Russia also conveyed greetings. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the occasion marks a new chapter following the recent election and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening economic and security ties.

Russian Ambassador Alexander G Khozin said independence united the people of Bangladesh and marked the start of a national movement rooted in love for language and culture.

He highlighted Bangladesh’s achievements in industrial growth and its global standing, adding that the Soviet Union recognised Bangladesh on January 25, 1972, and supported post-war recovery efforts, including mine-clearing operations in Chittagong.

He expressed hope for enhanced cooperation between Russia and Bangladesh under the new government.

The day was observed as a public holiday, with elaborate programmes nationwide. The president and the prime minister also issued separate messages marking the occasion.

Throughout the day, television and radio channels broadcast Liberation War programmes, while films were screened in cinema halls across districts.

Museums remained open to the public, government and private entertainment centres to children, while sports events, cultural programmes, special munazats and prayers at places of worship, and feasts at hospitals, prisons, children’s homes, rehabilitation centres and welfare institutions were arranged nationwide.