Today is December 16, the Great Victory Day

The Dhaka Times Desk Today is December 16, the Great Victory Day. The nation is celebrating this great day with due dignity. On this day in 1971, the Pakistani invasion forces were defeated. The victory of the country was achieved on this day.

Through the sacrifice of millions of people, we have got an independent and sovereign state of Bangladesh. We achieved victory by defeating the invading forces on December 16, exactly 9 months after the bloody war that began with the declaration of independence on March 26, 1971. Since then we are an independent state, we have got a flag.

Thousands of Bengali years were spent waiting for such a day. The much-desired day was seen on the pages of history as if written in red ink at the end of a bloody struggle on December 16, 1971.

On this day in Dhaka's historic Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan), barbaric Pakistani forces dropped their weapons and stood bowed before the victorious Bengalis. Signed the defeat certificate. An independent Bangladesh emerged on the world map.

On this day of victory won by the sacrifice of 30 lakh martyrs, the honor of 2 lakh mothers and sisters in 9 months of bloody war, not only joy but also pain will ring in the hearts of many Bengalis. The nation will remember those known and unknown brave martyrs with humble respect and deep gratitude. Years pass by, enjoying the benefits of the freedom earned in return for their sacrifice. But those who betrayed the nation and joined hands with the murderous Pakistani soldiers in the turbulent days of that struggle. The stigma of not judging those Razakars-Albadars has dimmed this great achievement of the nation. However, the current government has come to power and is ridding the nation of stigma by prosecuting those al-Badar al-Shams one by one.

The execution of war criminal Quader Mollah marked the beginning of the absolution of that scandal. After this year, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and many Razakars were hanged. So today a new dimension has been added to the joy of the nation's victory.

From this morning, festive people will come down the road all over the country. All the memorials of the country will be filled with flowers in humble respect remembering the martyrs. Countless people of all ages will gather in the capital at Savare National Memorial Ground. The sacred altar of the memorial will be covered with flowers of respect.

Today the red-green flag will be flying in homes and buildings, even in all institutions. On the head there will be a ribbon colored in the color of the flag, portrait of the national flag will be painted. Flags will be decorated on the main roads and highways of all the major cities of the country including the capital. Today is a public holiday. Important buildings will be illuminated at night. Special food will be served in hospitals, orphanages and prisons. Special prayers will also be offered in all places of worship including mosques and churches.