DHAKA, Dec 16, 2025 (BSS) – The nation today celebrated the 55th Victory Day, the most precious day of the nation, with paying glowing tributes to 1971 Liberation War martyrs and recalling the glorious history the nation scripted 54 years back by freeing the soil from long subjugation.

On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh obtained victory over Pakistani occupation forces at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and sanctity of two lakh mothers and sisters.

The celebration of the Victory Day programmes began with a 31-gun salute in the city this morning. The national flag was hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh embassies and missions abroad at the dawn.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar, on the outskirts of the capital with the rise of the sun today. 

Then, the Bir Shrestha families, war-wounded freedom fighters and brave Freedom Fighters, under the leadership of the Liberation War Affairs Adviser, laid wreaths there.

Members of the Advisory Council, other important state dignitaries and foreign diplomats paid homage to the martyred heroes at the main altar of the memorial. 

Afterwards, the memorial was opened to the public. Leaders and activists of political, social and cultural organisations, along with students of various public and private universities and their residential halls, paid floral tributes in an orderly manner by standing in queues.

Since early morning, thousands of people from all walks of life gathered at the National Memorial premises to remember the nation's brave sons.

The altar of the National Memorial was filled with reverence and floral tributes from people of all professions and strata.

Political parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party and National Citizen Party (NCP) paid tributes to Liberation War martyrs.     

In the evening, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation marking the victory day.  

In his address, he emphasized protection of the youth and ensuring a peaceful and festive election with collective efforts to build a new Bangladesh, resisting all ill-efforts of defeated fascist and terrorist forces.

Referring to the recent heinous attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, Dr Yunus said, “Protect our youth. Then all of us and our beloved motherland will be protected.”

The day was a public holiday. On the eve of the Victory Day, the president and the chief adviser gave separate messages paying tributes to the Liberation War martyrs yesterday. 

The main roads and road islands of Dhaka and various cities of the country were decorated with banners, festoons and colorful flags, including the national flag while important buildings and establishments were illuminated. 

On the occasion, the government took programmes including a three-day victory fair, parachuting with the highest number of national flags, band and acrobatic shows, cultural events, arrangement of recitation, essay writing and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children  

Marking the day, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus released a commemorative postage stamp yesterday. He also released an opening day cover and a canceller at a ceremony at the State Guest House Jamuna. 

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebeka Sultana today hosted a reception at Bangabhaban on the occasion of the country's 55th Victory Day.

As many as 7,218 guests, including some 266 members of the valiant freedom fighters and families of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients attended reception held at green lawn of the President house this afternoon.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Hassan, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-e-Azam, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)  AMM Nasir Uddin, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, distinguished citizens, journalists and civil and military were among the guests.

In addition, receptions were held for the family members of freedom fighters and martyrs in the metropolis, districts and upazilas.

Marking the day, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting published special supplements. State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other TV channels and radios broadcast programmes highlighting the glorious history of the Liberation War.

Cinema halls across the country screened Liberation War films free of charge for students while documentaries based on the Liberation War were screened at auditoriums and open places across the country. 

Government and autonomous museums remained open to the public without entry fees, while all recreation centers across the country offered free entry for children.

As part of the nationwide grand celebrations of the Victory Day, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus enjoyed Victory Day Fly Past, parajump and band display at the National Parade Ground in the city this morning. 

To mark the country's 54 years of independence, 54 paratroopers from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force performed a national flag-bearing skydive.

Prof Yunus also witnessed the separate spectacular fly-past and aerobatic display. He also enjoyed a special Victory Day band show there.

Later, the Chief Adviser exchanged greetings with the 54 paratroopers and took part in a photo session with them. 

Similar fly-past demonstrations were conducted by the armed forces in other cities across the country. Police, BGB, and Ansar organized band shows nationwide. 

Victory Day songs were performed at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city this afternoon while new-generation artistes performed songs of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra simultaneously in 64 districts across the country.

On the occasion, various social and cultural organizations including Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum and Bangladesh Shishu Academy organized Liberation War-based discussions, cultural programmes, children's painting, writing and sports competitions, and screenings of Liberation War-based documentaries.

Bangladesh embassies abroad also took similar programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

On the occasion, sports events, football matches, T20 cricket tournaments, Kabaddi and Hadudu games were organized at district and upazila levels with the participation of students from schools, colleges, madrasas and other educational institutions.
Besides, Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard vessels remained open to the public from 9 am until sunset at BIWTC jetties, including at the ports of Chattogram, Khulna, Mongla, and Payra, as well as Dhaka Sadarghat, Pagla, and Barishal.

Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas, and other places of worship seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of martyred freedom fighters and the well-being of wounded veterans and peace and progress of the country.

Improved diets were served in all hospitals, prisons, old-age homes, orphanages, street-children rehabilitation centres, disability welfare centres, daycare centres, child development centres and Shishu Paribar and under-privileged children across the country.