RN Desk:    The nation celebrated its 44th Independence and National Day on Wednesday, paying homage to martyrs who had laid down their lives for the freedom of their motherland from Pakistani colonial rule and for the economic emancipation of the Bengalis.
Bangladesh’s independence was formally announced on March 26, 1971 by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was the founding president of the country, with the Bengalis taking up arms against Pakistan’s forces, who carried out one of the worst genocides in modern history.
The nine-month war culminated in the independence of Bangladesh on December 16 after the sublime sacrifice of three million people.
The day has been observed as Independence Day since 1971 and in 1980, the government decided to observe it as National Day as well.
A pre-dawn, 31-gun salute heralded the Independence Day celebrations.
People queued up at the National Memorial at Savar at daybreak to pay homage to the martyrs of the war of independence.
The first to lay wreaths at the National Memorial at daybreak was the president, Abdul Hamid, followed by the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, They stood in solemn silence as bugles sounded the Last Post.
The leader of the opposition in the parliament, Raushan Ershad, and the BNP chairperson, Khaleda Zia, also paid tribute to the martyrs of the war at the National Memorial.
More more than 2.5 lakh people, meanwhile, stood together in National Parade Square and sang the national anthem in chorus to set a Guinness World Record of most people singing a national anthem simultaneously on the day.
The nation took a fresh vow to institutionalise democracy and establish a just society based on the rule of law.
People rallied in Shahbagh Square demanding an early completion of the trial of crimes against humanity committed in the war of independence and execution of court verdicts. They also demanded a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Wreaths were laid at the National Memorial by the chief justice, the speaker, ministers, lawmakers, chiefs of three services, diplomats, civil and military officials, freedom fighters and other dignitaries.
Thousands, many donned in green and red dresses and carrying miniatures of the national flag, went to the National Memorial. The altar of the memorial was bedecked with flowers as people filed past it.
Wreaths were laid at the memorial by leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jatiya Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Gana Sanghati, Liberal Democratic Party, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Democratic Revolutionary Party, Revolutionary Workers Party,  Ganatantrik Biplabi Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik League, Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad, student organisations, professional groups and socio-cultural organisations.
People across the country sang the national anthem simultaneously while 2,54,681 people sang it in the National Parade Square in the capital at 11:20am aimed at setting a world record.
Shahbagh protesters held a rally in the Shahbagh crossing and demanded a ban on Jamaat as in 1971, Jamaat took up arms to oppose the emergence of Bangladesh. Jamaat collaborated with the military junta and the occupation army of Pakistan against Bangladesh and its freedom-loving people.
The president hosted a reception at Bangabhaban while the prime minister cancelled a Tk 10 postal stamp marking the day.
The national flag was hoisted atop government and private buildings marking the day, which was a public holiday.
Important public and private buildings and road islands were decorated with flags and festoons.
The state-run and private radio and television channels aired special programmes on the occasion. Newspapers and periodicals brought out supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
Improved diets were served in hospitals, jails, orphanages, vagrant homes, Muktijoddha Kendra and charity homes.
All major political parties, socio-cultural and professional organisations and educational institutions held programme marking the occasion.
Buglers from the three services performed in different city points. Navy ships in ports were opened to public.
The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the Bangla Academy and the Liberation War Museum held programmes marking the day.