Armed Forces Day was observed across the country with due solemnity and enthusiasm on Thursday marking the founding of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.
This day is observed every year since Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force launched an all-out attack on the occupation forces of Pakistan on this day during our Liberation War in 1971.
After the independence of the country, this historic day is observed as Armed Forces Day every year.
The day’s programme began with the offering of special prayers after Fazr prayers in all mosques in all the cantonments, naval and air force bases throughout the country seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and progress of the armed forces.
To mark the day, President and Chief Adviser placed wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment yesterday to pay homage to the members of the Armed Forces who laid down their lives during our Liberation War in 1971.
Later, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan placed wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ on behalf of their respective forces.
On the occasion, chiefs of the three services paid courtesy call on the President at the Bangabhaban and Chief Adviser at Armed Forces Division yesterday.
The Chief Adviser accord a reception to family members of the Bir Shreshthas and selected number of gallantry award winning 1971 veterans and their familie members at Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment.
Liberation War Affairs Adviser, Chief adviser’s special assistant on defence and national solidarity development affairs, chiefs of the three services, CA’s Principal Secretary, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Secretary of the Defence Ministry, Secretary of Liberation War Affairs Ministry and other military and civil officials were present at the function.
A reception programme was arranged for the Chief Adviser at Senakunja in the cantonment.
Chief justice, former presidents, former chief advisers, advisers and the people with the rank of adviser, foreign envoys in Bangladesh, chiefs of international organisations, judges, cabinet secretary, principal secretary, former chiefs of the three services, former military officials, Swadhinata Padak and Ekushey Padak winning people in 2022, journalists, educationists, political leaders and dignitaries, coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, family members of all Bir Shresthos, gallantry award-winning officials, who lived in Dhaka during and after the Liberation War, and their family members, high civil officials and serving and former officials of three services joined the reception.
The state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) talecast the programme live.
Receptions was also accorded at the cantonments or bases in Barishal, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chattogram, Jashore, Rangpur, and Khulna under the regional headquarters.
Various programmes have also organised at different army garrisons, naval ships, installations, and air force bases across the country outside Dhaka.
Bangladesh Navy kept its ships open for all from 2:00pm until the sun sets at different naval berths, rocket ghats and BIWTA ghats in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur Barishal and Chattogram to visit on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day today.
BTV broadcast a ‘Special Anirban’ programme illustrating the significance of the day on Wednesday after the news at 8:00pm, and later, other television channels gradually telecast the programme.
Bangladesh Betar broadcasted a programme, ‘Special Durber’, at 7.30pm yesterday. National dailies will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
The educational institutions run by armed forces organised essay and painting competitions marking Armed Forces Day.
