MNA Feature Desk: The 48th Victory Day is being observed on Sunday, marking the most precious day when the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation.
Forty-seven years back on December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.
Special prayers will be offered in mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship seeking divine blessings for the peace and progress of the country.
Destitute children will be allowed to visit the children park in the capital on the day free of cost. Improved diets will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.
Bangladesh missions abroad will hoist the national flag and organise discussions, cultural functions and receptions.
The ruling Awami League has chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day. Besides, different socio-cultural-professional bodies and institutions including Dhaka University, Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh Tourism (Parjatan) Corporation and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote will observe the day with elaborate programmes.
The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted atop government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country.
Important buildings and establishments will be illuminated at night. Important roads and road islands will be decorated with miniature national flags and colourful festoons. National dailies will bring out special supplements.