Today is the 54th Great Independence and National Day. On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military launched a surprise genocidal campaign 'Operation Searchlight' against Bengalis and prepared Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation. Before the preparation, Bangabandhu announced the independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of the night of March 26 in Dhaka. Bangabandhu's announcement was broadcasted in various media including Bangladesh.
Despite the Awami League winning a majority in the 1970 general elections, the Pakistani military did not hand over power to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Pakistani military began massacring Bengali civilians. The main aim of their campaign was to indiscriminately kill all the progressive political leaders and activists and all the conscious citizens of East Pakistan including Awami League.
Before Bangabandhu was escorted from his residence in Dhanmondi, he called for the declaration of independence of Bangladesh as well as resistance against the enemy at any cost. Bangabandhu's announcement was spread across the country and abroad through wireless. At that time, it was not possible to preserve this declaration of independence document of Bangabandhu due to reality and security reasons. Later Bangabandhu's Declaration was included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The announcement was broadcast across the country by the transmitters of the then EPR. Later on March 26 and 27 several people read out the declaration of independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujib from the Swadhin Bangla Betar center in Chittagong.
The precious document of Bangabandhu's declaration is recorded there as 'This may be our last message, Bangladesh is independent from today. I call upon the people of Bangladesh to stand up with whatever they have, wherever they are, to resist the invading forces with all their might. Keep fighting until the last soldier of the Pakistani occupation forces is driven from the soil of Bengal and the final victory is achieved. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. March 26, 1971.'
The full details of the announcement were published in the Bangladesh Documents published by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. “This may be my last message to you,” the announcement said. Bangladesh is an independent country from today. I call upon you, wherever you are, in whatever condition you are and with whatever you have in your hands, resist the occupying Pakistani army till your last breath. Keep fighting until the last soldier of the occupying Pakistani forces is expelled from the soil of Bangladesh and the final victory is achieved.'
After nine months of bloody war, on December 16, 1971, a land called Bangladesh appeared as a new state on the world map.
The annual budget of just 786 crore rupees of newly independent Bangladesh in 1971 has today become a budget of 6 lakh 78 thousand 64 crore rupees. The current per capita income is 2 thousand 961 US dollars in the country with a per capita income of 129 dollars that day. Time has passed, Bangladesh has also progressed in keeping with the world. Per capita income, infrastructure development, visible changes in education and health sector, private sector investment and increase in domestic production, increase in foreign trade, technological development and consumption and production and extraction of resources have increased visibly.
After independence, Bangladesh was called the country of 'bottomless basket'. After 50 years of independence, Bangladesh of poverty and disaster is now on the way to become a developing country. Bangladesh has progressed in every socio-economic index including economic growth, health, education, empowerment of women, increase in per capita income. Nation will celebrate Independence Day with this achievement.
Elaborate programs have been taken up at the national level to celebrate the great Independence and National Day with due dignity. On this day, the day will be started with the firing of cannon 31 times in the whole country including Dhaka. With the sunrise, President Md. Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lay wreaths at Savar National Memorial. After that, led by the Minister of Liberation War, the Virshreshtha family, the martyred freedom fighters and the heroic freedom fighters will offer wreaths. Foreign diplomats based in Bangladesh, various political and social organizations and people from all walks of life will pay tribute to the freedom fighters martyred in the Great Liberation War by offering wreaths.
On this occasion, the national flag will be hoisted at sunrise in all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings and the national flag will be hoisted on the buildings of Dhaka city and important buildings and structures will be decorated with lights.
Today is a public holiday. President and Prime Minister will give on the occasion of the day. Highlighting the significance of the day, newspapers will publish special articles, articles and literary magazines on this day. On this occasion, the electronic media are promoting various programs based on the Liberation War.
Awami League program
Awami League has taken various programs on the occasion of Great Independence and National Day. The program includes hoisting of national and party flags at sunrise today at Bangabandhu Bhavan, central office and all offices of the organization across the country. Tribute at National Memorial at 5:56 am.
Awami League pays homage to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 32 Dhanmondi at 7 am in accordance with health protection rules.
Doa mahfil and special prayer meetings
On the occasion of the Great Independence Day, prayers and Milad Mahfil have been organized in all the mosques of the country including Bad Zohar Baitul Mukarram National Mosque as part of special prayer program in all religious institutions including mosques, temples, pagodas, churches.
Also, at 11 am, a delegation from the Awami League Central Executive will pay respects at the tomb of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara and participate in the Milad Mahfil program. The members of the delegation are Awami League organizing secretary SM Kamal Hossain, Afzal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi, Central Committee member Iqbal Hossain Apu.
Apart from this, on the occasion of Great Independence and National Day, a discussion meeting has been organized on behalf of the party at the Dhaka District Awami League office in Tejgaon on March 27 at 11 am. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside and address the meeting.
General Secretary of the party and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader called on the leaders, supporters, well-wishers and people of all levels to celebrate the Great Independence Day with proper dignity and respect the health protection rules by adopting the program compatible with the program of Awami League.