Armed Forces Day will be observed across the country on Friday with due solemnity and enthusiasm.
On this day in 1971, the Bangladesh Armed Forces—comprising the army, navy, and air force—came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces.
Since the country’s independence, the day has been observed as Armed Forces Day every year.
The day’s programmes will start with the offering of special prayers at mosques in all cantonments, naval outposts and establishments, and air force outposts after Fajr prayers, seeking divine blessings for the country’s welfare and progress, and for the continued development and progress of the Armed Forces.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning to pay homage to the members of the Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War.
The chiefs of the three services will also place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ in the morning.
Later, the three chiefs will pay courtesy calls on the president and the chief adviser.
On the occasion, the chief adviser will host a reception and meet the family members of the Bir Shresthas and other gallantry award-winning freedom fighters at the Army Multipurpose Complex. He will distribute peace awards to Armed Forces personnel.
Meanwhile, programmes have been drawn up to observe the day at all army garrisons, naval ships and establishments, and air force bases throughout the country.
Bangladesh Television will broadcast a special programme titled Special Anirban after its 8pm news bulletin on Thursday, highlighting the significance of the day. Bangladesh Betar will broadcast a special programme, Special Durbar, at 7:30pm on Friday.
The national dailies will publish special supplements on the occasion.
A reception will also be hosted by the chief adviser at Senakunja, Dhaka Cantonment, at 4pm on the day.
Distinguished invitees include the chief justice; former presidents; former chief advisers; advisers and dignitaries of equivalent rank; foreign ambassadors and heads of international organisations; justices; secretaries; former chiefs of the three services; former senior military officers; and the heirs of all Bir Shresthas.
Among others, members of the Armed Forces and their families; families of army personnel martyred in the 2009 BDR (now BGB) carnage; recipients of the Independence Award and the Ekushey Padak; journalists; academics; prominent citizens; coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement; those injured in the July–August mass uprising; senior civil servants; and serving and retired officers of the Armed Forces are also invited to the programme.
