Bangladesh celebrates 36th I-day tomorrow

Dhaka, Mar 25 (UNI) Bangladesh celebrates the 36th Independence and National Day tomorrow amid tight security.

The nation will take a fresh pledge to consolidate the democracy and attain faster economic advances.

The declaration of independence was made on the night of March 25, 1971, soon after the Pakistani army crackdown and the country was liberated on December 16, 1971 after a nine-month bloody war at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people.

Some 90,000 Pakistan army surrenedered to joint command of Indian army and Bangladesh's liberation forces in Dhaka on December 16, 1971.

National leaders, including President Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina, have paid rich tributes to the independence martyrs and expressed gratitude to the war veterans.

All roads lead to the national mausoleum at Savar for paying homage to the Liberation War martyrs when the day dawns with 31-gun salute after the black night tonight.

The day is a closed holiday, allowing a pageant of patriotic celebrations following the morning rituals of the independence anniversary.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia would lay wreaths at the National Mausoleum at sunrise.

The President will take salute and review parade by the armed, auxiliary and civil forces, including the freedom fighters, at the National Parade Square.

National flag will be hoisted atop government and private buildings to mark the occasion while government and semi-government buildings as well as other public places will be illuminated with colourful lights.

To mark the day, government, major political, social and cultural organisations, including BNP and Awami League, have chalked out separate programmes.

The national programme includes providing Independence Award, releasing commemorative postage stamps, and organising sports and cultural functions.

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