The nation is set to celebrate the 50th year of independence and National Day today, along with the grand celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The grand joint celebration, which marked the physical attendance of five heads of states and governments and the virtual attendance of other global leaders, started on March 17 at the National Parade Square in the presence of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The 10-day grand celebration will end today with the attendance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in person as the guest of honour, according to a BSS report.
Earlier, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering joined the grand celebration in person on March 17.
Marking the Independence and National Day, the government has taken elaborate programmes maintaining the health guidelines in view of the global pandemic coronavirus.
On the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages yesterday extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the countrymen living both home and abroad.
The National Memorial at Savar is the main venue of the celebration of the day where President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are set to place wreaths early in the morning.
The day’s programmes will begin by heralding a 50-gun salute in the early morning as a mark of profound respect to the heroic struggle of this nation.
The national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings, while all streets and important city intersections has been decorated with national and multi-coloured miniature flags and festoons.
Important buildings and establishments as well as city streets and islands are illuminated with colourful lights.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air month-long special programmes on Liberation War.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and other social and cultural organisations have also arrange discussions, cultural programmes and sports competition.
Painting competition for children, essay and debate competitions for all has been organised virtually.
Other independence day programmes are also going to take place maintaining health guidelines amid the ongoing pandemic.