Nation to celebrate 53rd Independence Day on Sunday

The nation will celebrate the 53rd Independence and National Day on Sunday in a befitting manner.

The day's programmes will begin by heralding gun salutes early in the morning as a mark of profound respect to the heroic struggle of this nation.

On this day, the national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings with the rises of sun.

All streets and important city intersections will be decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.

Bands of different forces are set to play music at different important points in Dhaka.

Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands will be illuminated with colourful lights.

The National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar will be the main venue of the day's celebration.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths early in the morning as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs.

People from all walks of life, including families of Bir Shreshthas, war wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies, will also lay wreaths at the national memorial in the morning of the day.

On the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam will host a reception at the Bangabhaban.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join the reception on the lawn of the Bangabhaban at about 5 pm.

National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air month-long special programmes on the Liberation War and highlighting the significance of the day.

Special prayers will be offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country seeking divine blessings for the eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation, four national leaders, martyrs of the War of Liberation and all other patriotic sons of the soil.

Improved meals will be served to the inmates of hospitals, jails, old homes and orphanage centres to mark the day. The country's all children's parks and museums will remain open for all.

The missions abroad will also celebrate the day through similar programmes.

Bangabandhu wrote down the declaration of independence soon after the Pakistani army cracked down on the fateful night of March 25, 1971.

The declaration of independence was soon put on air by wireless. The declaration was first broadcast by Awami League leader MA Hannan from Kalurghat Radio Station in the port city of Chittagong on March 26, 1971.

The nation soon launched the War of Liberation at the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the early hours of March 26.