Arafat Hasan of DOT
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the freedom fighters of the nation by placing flowers at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at 6:30am on in Savar yesterday.
Representatives from the armed forces also saluted the martyrs. Bugles rang out to sing their praises. The president and the prime minister then shared a moment of silence for the brave men and women who had given so much for their country.
Sheikh Hasina presented flowers at the site again in her role as the president of the Awami League, alongside other representatives from the party.
The families of Bir Sreshtha freedom fighters, wounded freedom fighters, members of the cabinet, members of parliament, justices, the heads of the armed forces and diplomats then paid their respects.
As soon as the National Martyrs’ Memorial was opened to the public, a wave of people from all walks of life poured into the memorial site with flowers.
Bangladesh’s Liberation Movement began at the call of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971 and culminated on Dec 16, when Pakistani Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi surrendered to the Muktibahini and the Indian military command.
Various public and private events were scheduled yesterday commemorating the 47th anniversary of the occasion. The day was ushered in by a 31-gun salute at dawn at the National Parade Square at the old airport.
This year’s military parade was cancelled due to the upcoming national election, though parades were still scheduled to be held at the district and upazila levels this year.