The Dhaka Times Desk Today is December 16, the Great Victory Day. 47 years of the victory achieved in return for the sacrifice of 3 million martyrs are completed today. 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. The victory of this country came through the surrender of the invading forces.
Through the sacrifice of millions of people, we have got an independent and sovereign state of Bangladesh. After 9 months of bloody war which started with declaration of independence on March 26, 1971, we achieved final victory by defeating the invading forces on December 16, 1971. Since we are an independent state, we have got our own flag.
Thousands of Bengalis were 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 of 9 months on this day 16 December 1971.
Dhaka's historic Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) on this day barbaric Pakistani forces dropped their weapons and stood bowed before millions of victorious brave Bengalis. Pakistani forces signed the defeat certificate. An independent Bangladesh appeared on the world map.
The sacrifice of 3 million martyrs in the long 9 months of bloody war, the honor of at least 2 lakh mothers and sisters, won not only joy, but also pain will ring in the hearts of many people. The nation will remember those brave martyrs with humble respect and deep gratitude. Years after years we have been enjoying the benefits of freedom earned in return for their sacrifice. But those who betrayed the nation and joined hands with the murderous Pakistani soldiers during the turbulent days of the struggle. The stigma of not judging those Razakar-Albadr al-Samsad has dimmed this great achievement of the nation. However, the present government came to power and tried those Al Badr Al Shams one after another and cleared the nation.
From the morning of today's great day, festive people will take to the streets 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 to pay their respects to the martyrs at the Saare National Memorial Ground. The sacred altar of the memorial will be covered with flowers of respect.
On this day, the red-green flag will fly in the house and in the village, 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 meals will be served in hospitals, orphanages and prisons. Special prayers will also be offered in all places of worship including mosques and churches in the country to remember this day.
At sunrise, the President and the Prime Minister laid wreaths at the Savar National Memorial. President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of Opposition Roshan Ershad and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia delivered separate messages for the day.
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