Bangla celebrates Independence, National Day

Dhaka, Mar 26: Bangladesh celebrated her 36th Independence and National Day today with a pledge to build a modern democratic country free from poverty, discrimination and injustice.

A 31-gun salute at Old Airport at dawn heralded the day and the national flag was hoisted atop public and private buildings. .

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Advisor of the interim caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed placed wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar early morning today, paying homage to the martyrs.

Leaders of political parties, professional and cultural organisations also visited the Mausoleum and placed wreaths at the altar.

On March 26, 1971 the country's independence was formally declared by founding father and slain President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman leading to a nine-month bloody war against Pakistani occupation forces that resulted in the emergence of a sovereign state on the global map.

Thousands of peace-loving Bengalis in then East Pakistan on this day took up arms against the highly trained Pakistani military for freedom and won the war on December 16, 1971 through the surrender of 90,000 Pakistani troops to the joint command of the Indian army and Bangladesh freedom fighters at the historic Race Course in Dhaka.

The Armed Forces displayed parade and military hardware at the National Parade Square today where the President took the salute.

Army, Navy and Air Force bands played music at Farmgate Park and at Mirpur National Stadium.

President Ahmed in a message urged all citizens to work unitedly with continued efforts for expediting overall development, economic self-reliance and democratic progress.

Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed in his message, called for forging national unity imbued with the spirit of '71 for realising the objectives of the Independence War and dreams of the freedom fighters.

UNI