DHAKA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh celebrated its 47th victory day on Saturday with due solemnity and rich tributes paid to the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971.
The official victory day programs commenced with a 31-gun salute followed by rich tributes of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at National Mausoleum in Savar on the outskirts of capital Dhaka in the early hours.
President Hamid later attended a colorful parade at the National Parade Square as the chief guest while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was also present at the parade.
The national flag is hoisted atop all government and private buildings while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places were illuminated and roads and islands decorated with flags and festoons in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.
Imbued with the spirit of independence, government, political, social and cultural organizations drew up elaborate programs, including discussions, rallies, processions, dramas and Jatra (folk theater), photo exhibitions, painting competitions and cultural events to celebrate the victory of the nine-month war.
The day is a public holiday.
Special prayers are being offered in mosques, temples, pagodas and other places of worship for the departed souls and country's peace, progress and prosperity.
Newspapers have published special supplements marking the day while televisions and radio stations aired special programmes.
The president in his message extended his sincere felicitations and warm congratulations to all Bangladeshis in home and abroad.
In her message, Hasina said her government was working for Bangladesh's development and will build a poverty-free and peaceful middle-income Bangladesh by 2021 and a developed and prosperous one by 2041.
On Dec. 16, 1971, the then East Pakistan under the leadership of founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won its emancipation and emerged as an independent state, Bangladesh.
