The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) is one with its brothers and sisters in Bangladesh in commemoration of the nation’s 52nd Independence Day. May we all embrace the spirit of nationhood so that we can all work together towards the path to economic and social development.

History

National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, Bangladesh
Photo Source: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/March-The-Birth-History-of-Bangladesh/

March 26 marks the commemoration of the Independence day of Bangladesh (Bengali:স্বাধীনতা দিবস Shwadhinata Dibôsh). It commemorates the country's declaration of independence from Pakistan in the late hours of 25 March 1971. The day is a memorial to the deaths of thousands of civilians who died in the subsequent Bangladesh Liberation War (Wikipedia, 2018).

Every year, March 26 brings the most tragic reminiscence of the history’s darkest episode that heralded a nine-month bloody ordeal from the night following March 25, 1971 in achieving the long-cherished independence on December 16 the same year at the cost of a sea of blood. The nation’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was detained that night. Before he was picked up, he had proclaimed independence.

2023 Celebrations

Bangladesh Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (left) and Independence Day celebration in Savar (right)
Photo sources: https://www.bssnews.net/news/113750 and https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1210144.shtml

Month-long celebrations are usually in place to commemorate two things: first is the birthday of the nation’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which is celebrated on March 17, and the second is the nation’s commemoration of its independence from Pakistan (former East Pakistan) celebrated every March 26. This 2023, preparations by the government and the ruling party, Bangladesh’s Awami League, have begun since the start of the month (BSS, 2023).

Bangladeshi nationals celebrate these days by holding numerous parades, street fairs, and concerts on the streets. Public speeches made by political authorities headed by the incumbent head of state, President Mohammad Abdul Hamid, and head of government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hazina Wazed are broadcasted in multimedia platforms. Generally, a thirty-one gun salute is conducted in the morning signaling the start of celebrations. The main streets are also adorned with national flags to imbibe the feeling of collective patriotism among the people.

Related to this celebration is the nation’s commemoration of its 52nd Victory Day last December 12, 2022.

National events usually take place in key areas within the Dhaka region: Jatiyo Sriti Shoudho (National Martyrs' Monument) in Savar, the National Parade Square, and Bangabandhu Memorial Museum (Crisis24, 2022). Noting that the majority of the population have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines in the past two years, local authorities are expecting huge crowds to gather in these public places. In response, heavy security measures are expected to be put in place (BSS, 2023).

References:

  1. BSS News (04 March 2023). Month-long prog marking Bangabandhu’s birthday, Independence Day begins. Retrieved from https://www.bssnews.net/news/113750
  2. BSS News (12 March 2023). Security measures taken to peaceful celebration of Independence Day. Retrieved from https://www.bssnews.net/district/115121
  3. Crisis24 (17 March 2022). Bangladesh: Celebrations to take place nationwide, especially Dhaka, through March 21 for Independence Day. Retrieved from https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2022/03/bangladesh-celebrations-to-take-place-nationwide-especially-dhaka-through-march-31-for-independence-day
  4. Wikipedia (2018). Independence Day (Bangladesh). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(Bangladesh)