Today is the 54th Great Independence and National Day. On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military launched a sudden genocide operation 'Operation Searchlight' against Bengalis and arrested Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation. Before his arrest, Bangabandhu announced the independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26 in Dhaka. Bangabandhu's announcement was broadcast in various media including Bangladesh.
Despite the Awami League winning a majority in the 1970 general elections, the Pakistani military did not hand over power to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Pakistani military began massacring Bengali civilians. The main aim of their campaign was to indiscriminately kill all the progressive political leaders and activists and all the conscious citizens of East Pakistan including Awami League.
Before Bangabandhu was arrested from his residence in Dhanmondi, he called for the declaration of independence of Bangladesh as well as resistance against the enemy at any cost. Bangabandhu's announcement was spread across the country and abroad through wireless. At that time, it was not possible to preserve this declaration of independence document of Bangabandhu due to reality and security reasons. Later Bangabandhu's Declaration was included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The announcement was broadcast across the country by the transmitters of the then EPR. Later on March 26 and 27 several people read out the declaration of independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujib from the Swadhin Bangla Betar center in Chattogram.
The precious document of Bangabandhu's declaration is recorded there as 'This may be our last message, Bangladesh is independent from today. I call upon the people of Bangladesh to stand up with whatever they have, wherever they are, to resist the invading forces with all their might. Keep fighting until the last soldier of the Pakistani occupation forces is expelled from the soil of Bengal and the final victory is achieved. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. March 26, 1971.'
The full details of the announcement were published in the Bangladesh Documents published by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The announcement said, 'This may be my last message to you. Bangladesh is an independent country from today. I call upon you, wherever you are, in whatever condition you are and with whatever you have in your hands, resist the occupying Pakistani army till your last breath. Keep fighting until the last soldier of the occupying Pakistani forces is expelled from the soil of Bangladesh and the final victory is achieved.'
On December 16, 1971, after nine months of bloody war, a land called Bangladesh appeared on the world map as a new state.
The annual budget of just TK. 786 crore of newly independent Bangladesh in 1972 has today become a budget of Tk. 6 lakh 78 thousand 64 crore. The current per capita income in the country with a per capita income of 129 US dollars on that day is 2 thousand 961 US dollars. Time has passed, Bangladesh has also progressed in keeping with the world. Per capita income, infrastructure development, visible changes in education and health sector, private sector investment and increase in domestic production, increase in foreign trade, technological development and consumption and production and extraction of resources have increased visibly.
After independence, Bangladesh was called the country of 'bottomless basket'. After 50 years of independence, Bangladesh of poverty and disaster is now on the way to become a developing country. Bangladesh has progressed in every socio-economic index including economic growth, health, education, women's empowerment and increase in per capita income. Nation will celebrate Independence Day with this achievement.
Elaborate programs have been taken up at the national level to celebrate the Great Independence and National Day with due dignity. On this day, the day will be started with the firing of cannon 31 times in the whole country including Dhaka. As the sun rises, President Md. Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lay wreaths at Savar National Memorial. After that, led by the Minister of Liberation War, the Bir Shreshtha family, war-victims and brave freedom fighters will offer wreaths. Foreign diplomats based in Bangladesh, people from all walks of life including various political and social organizations will pay their respects to the freedom fighters martyred in the Great War of Liberation by offering wreaths.
On this occasion, the national flag will be hoisted at sunrise in all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings and the national flag will be hoisted on the buildings of Dhaka city and important buildings and structures will be decorated with lights.
Today is a public holiday. The President and the Prime Minister gave inspirational messages on the occasion of the day. Highlighting the significance of the day, newspapers will publish special articles, articles and literary magazines on this day. On this occasion, the electronic media are promoting various programs based on the Liberation War.