Today is the Armed Forces Day. The day is being observed with due solemnity and enthusiasm marking the founding of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force during the country’s Liberation War.
On this day in 1971, Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces.
Since the country’s independence, the day has been observed as the Armed Forces Day every year.
The day's programme has begun with offering of special prayers after Fajr prayers at all mosques in all the cantonments and naval and air force bases throughout the country on the day, seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation and progress of the armed forces.
On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday issued separate messages, greeting members of the armed forces.
To mark the day, the President and the Prime Minister placed wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment today morning, paying homage to the martyred armed forces' members who laid down their lives in the Liberation War in 1971.
Later, Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Navy Chief Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan placed wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces.
On the occasion, chiefs of the three services will pay courtesy call on the President at the Bangabhaban and Prime Minster at Armed Forces Division on the day.
The Prime Minister will accord a reception to family members of the Bir Shreshthas and selected gallantry award winning 1971 veterans and their family members at Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment.
The Prime Minister will distribute peace award for 2021-22 among four army, two navy and two air force personnel.
Liberation War Affairs Minister, PM's Security Affairs Adviser, chiefs of the three services, PM's Principal Secretary, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Senior Secretary of the Defence Ministry, Secretary of Liberation War Affairs Ministry and other military and civil officials will be present at the function.
Besides, a reception programme will be arranged on behalf of the premier at Senakunja in the cantonment at 4pm on the same day.
Jatiya Sangsad speaker, chief justice, former presidents, leader of the opposition in parliament, former chief advisors, ministers and the people with the rank of minister, state ministers and the people with the rank of state minister, deputy speaker, foreign envoys in Bangladesh, chiefs of international organizations, chief election commissioner, election commissioners, judges, cabinet secretary, principal secretary, lawmakers (Dhaka), former military officials, former chiefs of the three services, sports and cultural personalities, Swadhinata Padak and Ekushey Padak winning people in 2022, journalists, educationists, political leaders and dignitaries, 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 will join the reception.
The state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) will live telecast the function.
Marking the Armed Forces Day, navy chief and air force chief are expected to accord reception to gallantry award winning freedom fighters from their respective forces and their family members.
Receptions will also be accorded at cantonment or base at Barishal, Cox's Bazar, Bogura, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chattogram, Jashore, Rangpur and Khulna under the regional headquarters.
Various programmes have also been chalked out at different army garrisons, naval ships, installations and bases of the air force across the country outside Dhaka.
Bangladesh Navy will keep its ships open for all from 2 pm until the sun sets at different naval berths, rocket ghats and BIWTA ghats in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur Barishal and Chattogram for public on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day on November 21.
A 'Bishesh Anirban' programme illustrating the significance of the day will be telecast by BTV today after the news of 8 pm while the programme would be telecast later by other television channels gradually.
BDST: 1211 HRS, NOV 21, 2022
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