This year the Victory Day had an added significance as UNESCO has recognised the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a part of world heritage. The war of independence that continued for nine months after the declaration of independence by Bangabandhu, ended with the Pakistan Army's surrender at Ramna Race Course ground, now Suhrawardy Udyan, on December 16, 1971.
This year on the Victory Day I was roaming outside in the morning with members of my family when I saw many colourful processions. It was really nice to see people enjoying a festive occasion. Everywhere patriotic songs were being played which we do not hear too often on other days of the year. As I was looking around my eyes were set on hundreds of thousands of red and green national flags fluttering in the air. I felt an instant sense of pride, happiness and patriotism. Usually, when I see a political procession I feel a sense of apprehension, but it was altogether a different feeling as people of all ages, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, were swarming all over the place; and particularly the children were beside themselves with joy with festivities all around. It was an unusual feeling and it seemed as if the whole country was enjoying the taste of victory again. It was a wintry morning and sunlight was gently caressing the buoyant crowd. Many people were taking pictures surely to upload in various social networks. Everyone was having a good time and there had been an unwritten discipline all over the place which mad everybody happier. Once again we realised that freedom is priceless and we must protect it at any cost, as the great South African leader Nelson Mandela said, "To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
Mohammad Sohel Hara
Bonosree, Dhaka
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