Celebration evokes hope for prosperity

On the road to economic prosperity, the nation on its Independence Day yesterday resolved to build a corruption-free, transparent society with democratic values.

With deeply embedded feelings of patriotism, thousands of people went to the National Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War. Many of them stressed the need for working together, irrespective of political views, to take the country forward.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

“In the last 45 years, we have progressed a lot. On this Independence Day, we all should vow to work together for further advancement of the country, shunning malice and hostility,” said Shahrier Karim who went there from Dhaka.

“We could have reached new heights had we been able to wipe out corruption and irregularities from our country. We must eradicate corruption for economic progress,” said Sanjoy Paul, who works for a bank in Savar.

“Had our politicians worked in the greater interest of our nation, Bangladesh would have definitely transformed into Sonar Bangla [Golden Bangla] for which our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives,” said Shahdat Hossain, a businessman, who went there from Dhaka.  

Sabbir Ahmed, a university student, said, “We did not witness the Liberation War. But we can feel our freedom fighters' sacrifice in 1971. We want the country to be built the way our freedom fighters had dreamt of.”

Thousands of people thronged the memorial on the outskirts of the capital from dawn to dusk yesterday. The entire area swarmed with people of all ages and many of them wore bandanas displaying patriotic slogans and the national flag colours.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the Liberation War martyrs and placed wreaths at the National Memorial early in the morning.

The prime minister placed a wreath at the altar just after the president. They stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyred freedom fighters.

A contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute as the bugle played the last post.

Later, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, cabinet members and top government officials paid tribute.

After returning from the National Memorial, the prime minister paid homage to the Father of the Nation by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Dhanmondi-32.

Flanked by her party senior leaders, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia paid tribute to the Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial around 8:30am.

Yesterday, the children showed great enthusiasm in paying respect to the martyrs.

Carrying a national flag in her hand, Tasnia, a seven-year-old girl, went to the National Memorial with her father from Ashulia.

“I have heard the stories of freedom fighters who became martyrs … I've come here today to pay tribute to them,” she said.

Like her, many children went to the National Memorial with their parents to pay tribute to the national heroes. Some were seen wearing green and red dresses, some were carrying flowers and some had the national flag painted on their cheeks.

Many social and political organisations, educational institutions, and dignitaries also went to the memorial and placed wreathes.

After paying respect, Bangla Academy Director General Shamsuzzaman Khan told reporters, “We must not compromise on the issues of secularism, democracy, humanity, and nationalism,                   which were the spirits of the Liberation War."

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “We must remain united the way we were during the Liberation War so that we can overcome any national crisis in future.”

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said, “If we want to realise the dreams of freedom fighters, we must take the country one step forward where there will be no militancy, no conspiracy of anti-liberation forces and no corruption.”

Different voluntary organisations, including Medicine Club and Rhythm, arranged voluntary blood donation programmes in front of the National Memorial gate.