ছবি: File photo
Armed Forces Day is being celebrated across Bangladesh today, Thursday (November 21), with great enthusiasm and reverence. President and Commander-in-Chief Md. Sahabuddin and Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages to mark the occasion.
The day commenced with special prayers at mosques in all military cantonments, naval bases, and air force stations. The prayers sought the nation's welfare, the progress of the armed forces, and blessings for the martyrs of the Liberation War.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, President Md. Sahabuddin and Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus will place wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (Eternal Flame) in Dhaka Cantonment to honor the memory of the armed forces personnel who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 Liberation War.
Following the President and Chief Advisor, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan will also place wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces. The service chiefs will then meet the Chief Advisor at the Armed Forces Division and the President at Bangabhaban for formal courtesy calls.
The Chief Advisor will host a reception at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment for decorated freedom fighters and their families. During the event, commemorative gifts will be distributed, and dignitaries from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and senior officials from the armed forces and government will attend.
A special reception organized by the Chief Advisor will take place at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment at 4 PM. High-profile attendees include the Chief Justice, former Presidents, former Chief Advisors, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, and families of the Bir Shrestha (highest military honors) recipients. Significantly, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will attend the reception for the first time in 15 years. The event will be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television.
Similar receptions and programs will be held in cantonments in Barishal, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chattogram, Jashore, Rangpur, and Khulna, organized by the respective area headquarters. Specially decorated navy ships will be open to the public from 2 PM to sunset in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur, Barishal, and Chattogram.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Television aired a special program, Bishesh Anirban, following the 8 PM news on Wednesday, with Bangladesh Betar broadcasting Bishesh Durbar at 7:30 PM today. The program will also be aired by private TV channels in the coming days. National dailies have published special supplements, and armed forces-run educational institutions are organizing essay and art competitions for students.
Armed Forces Day celebrates the valor and sacrifices of the nation’s military, fostering unity and gratitude among citizens.
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