President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial on the outskirts of the capital early this morning, marking the Independence and National Day.
The President and the Prime Minister laid wreaths at the altar of the memorial at 6am. After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of deep respect for the memories of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.
A smartly turned-out contingent from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute, while bugles sounded the last post. The head of state and the head of government also signed the visitors’ book on the memorial premises.
Later, flanked by cabinet members and BNP Standing Committee members, Tarique Rahman, also chairman of the ruling BNP, placed two more wreaths at the National Memorial.
On the occasion, special prayers were offered seeking forgiveness for the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 anti-autocracy movement and the July 2024 uprising.
Prayers were also offered seeking divine blessings for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
The prayers sought the welfare of the country and success for the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Jatiya Sangsad Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, senior BNP leaders, cabinet members, members of parliament, and high civil and military officials, among others, were present.
Later, on behalf of Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal and Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury also paid homage by placing wreaths at the mausoleum.
Every year, 26 March recalls one of the darkest chapters in history, beginning on the night of 25 March 1971, which led to a nine-month war and the country’s independence on 16 December that year at the cost of immense sacrifice.
