<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, marking the 53rd Victory Day.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina placed floral wreaths at the altar of the memorial around 6:35 am to pay homage to the martyrs.</div><div><br></div><div>After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.</div><div><br></div><div>A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion when the bugles played the last post.</div><div><br></div><div>Flanked by senior leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina laid another wreath at the National Memorial as the party chief.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister also signed the visitor's book kept there.</div><div><br></div><div>Ministers, chiefs of the three services, members of the parliament, freedom fighters, diplomats, representatives of different development partners and civil and military officials, among others, were present.</div><div><br></div><div>The nation is celebrating the Victory Day with elaborate programmes paying homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country during the Liberation War.</div><div><br></div><div>On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month war.</div><div><br></div><div>Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>