Feature: Bangladesh marks 44th Independence Day with parades and wreath-laying at national shrine

Bangladesh celebrated its 44th Independence Day on Thursday with colorful parades and wreath- laying at Jatiyo Smriti Soudho, the national memorial at Savar at the outskirts of this city.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheik Hasina paid tribute to the millions who sacrificed their lives in the long struggle for independence from Pakistan. Before achieving its independence, Bangladesh used to be called East Pakistan. "To make the achievement meaningful, all would have to know the true history of the Liberation War and retain the spirit of the independence movement. It would have to be handed down from generation to generation," Hasina said.

To mark the Independence Day, which is a national holiday in Bangladesh, the national flag was hoisted atop the government and private buildings while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places were decorated with red and green, the colors of the national flag.

Even the alleys and thoroughfares of the capital Dhaka have been festooned with flags and other decorations to mark the occasion and to remember the fallen heroes of the revolution against Pakistan.

Loudspeakers atop buildings and moving vehicles blared out patriotic songs and March 7th speech of Sheik Mujibur Rahman, the country's first president and founding father. It was Mujibur Rahman who led his people in the fight for independence.

Children with their parents and relatives went to parks, gardens, war museums and historic places, with many of them carrying flags of green and red or wearing headbands with red and green colours.

"I love to take my children to historic places on the Independence Day," said Abul Kalam who was seen in front of Dhaka' key war museum.

"We also visited the National Memorial to place floral wreaths. "

Like in the past years, the day began with a 31-gun salute, followed by rich tributes by President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Hasina at the National Memorial in Savar.

Along with other top Bangladesh officials, the two leaders stood in silence for a few minutes as they paid homage to the heroes of the struggle for independence.

The National Memorial and its adjacent areas have had a facelift on the occasion, and the main and auxiliary roads have been festooned with national flags and flowers.

Thousands of people from all walks of life also flocked to the national shrine to pay their respects.

"The day reminds us the sacrifices of our valiant heroes who fought for nine months before we gained freedom and independence. It is only fitting for us to remember their sacrifices," said Abdur Rashid, who queued up behind hundreds to place a wreath at the memorial.

Rashid, an ordinary Bangladesh citizen, said the Independence Day "is also a day for all of us to renew our commitment to helping develop Bangladesh into a peaceful and prosperous country." Endi