<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>The nation is set to celebrate the 53rd Independence and National Day tomorrow vowing afresh to take the country towards prosperity with the Liberation War spirit.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by the Pakistani occupation forces.</div><div><br></div><div>After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million martyrs and the honour of two lakh women, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971.</div><div><br></div><div>President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to Bangladesh citizens at home and abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>President Abdul Hamid in his message said: "Bangabandhu always dreamt to build a happy-prosperous country along with political independence. The incumbent government is working relentlessly to realize his dream. As a result, Bangladesh is moving forward with high speed. Bangladesh is making remarkable progress in various sectors including education, health, human resource development, women's empowerment, reduction of infant and maternal mortality rate, elimination of poverty, increase in average life expectancy and social development. Per capita income has increased along with the reduction of poverty. Construction work of Karnaphuli Tunnel, Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Port and Rooppur nuclear power plant are also progressing smoothly. Bangladesh has already been promoted from a least developed country to a developing one. If this sustainable development progress continues, by the year of 2041, Bangladesh will become a developed-wealthy-smart country; it is my expectation on Independence Day."</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said: "By implementing our 'Vision-2021', we have made Bangladesh into a developing country. We created a digital Bangladesh. Cent percent of people are brought under the power of electricity. We built the Padma Bridge with our own funds and inaugurated the Metrorail.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, we have established the rule of law in the country by bringing to justice the murderers of the father of the nation and the war criminals.&nbsp; &nbsp;Let us transform Bangladesh into a hunger-poverty-free developed-prosperous Bangladesh as envisioned by the Father of the Nation. This should be our firm commitment on Independence Day."</div><div><br></div><div>The public holiday will begin with a gun salute and wreath-laying ceremony at Savar's National Memorial in honor of the Liberation War martyrs.</div><div><br></div><div>At sunrise, the national flag will be flown over all government, semi-government, private, and autonomous buildings, and all significant buildings and establishments will be illuminated.</div><div><br></div><div>National dailies will bring out special supplements, while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations, and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Shishu Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, and other social and cultural organizations will host seminars, cultural programs, painting and sports competitions for children, as well as film and documentary screenings about the liberation war.</div><div><br></div><div>The families of martyrs and freedom fighters will be honored at the metropolitan, district, and upazila levels. The Bangladesh Post Office Department will unveil a special commemorative stamp to mark the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, different religious institutions will hold special prayers and doa mehfil praying for the country's peace, development and prosperity.</div><div><br></div><div>Special-quality food will be distributed at institutions like hospitals, jails, children's homes, old-age homes, and daycare centers.</div><div><br></div><div>Children’s parks and museums will remain open to all throughout the day. Also, vessels of the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard will remain open from 2 p.m. until the evening for people to visit at Chattogram Khulna, Mongla, Payra Port, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) terminals in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Barishal,programs and Chandpur.</div><div><br></div><div>Similar programmes at district and upazila levels and Bangladesh embassies in different countries will be arranged to highlight the significance of Independence Day. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>