Victory Day celebrated at home and abroad

The nation celebrated Victory Day 2023 on Saturday, the most joyous December 16th when the country was born against the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and the honour of nearly half a million mothers and sisters, with elaborate programmes, reports UNB.
On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month war.
Various programmes were held on this day to pay deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War in 1971.
Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. Bangladeshis celebrated the day at home and abroad with much enthusiasm and fervour.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar with the rising of sun.
A contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented the state salute on the occasion.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War as the bugle played the last post. They also signed the visitors' book kept there.
Flanked by senior leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina laid another wreath at the National Memorial as the party chief.
In addition, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebeka Sultana hosted a reception programme at Bangabhaban on the occasion of the Victory Day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana joined the reception on the lush green lawn of the presidential palace in the afternoon.
Several thousand guests, including Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, attended the function.
The national flag hoisted atop government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices across the country.