President hosts Victory Day reception at Bangabhaban

President M Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom today hosted a reception at Bangabhaban marking the country’s 48th Victory Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception on the lush green lawn of the President’s palace here.

Several thousand of guests gathered on the green lawn of the Bangabhaban from 3 pm to 4.30 pm on the occasion.

Victory Day is a national holiday celebrated on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the allied forces over the Pakistani forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

The Pakistani occupation forces surrendered to the joint forces of Bangladesh and India ending the ninth-month Liberation War and turning East Pakistan into Bangladesh.

President Hamid along with his wife and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with the guests after the national anthem was sung.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, former President and Chairman of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, members of the cabinet, advisers to the prime minister, Supreme Court judges, parliament members and ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries were present on the occasion.

Ganoswastha Kendra founder Dr Zaforullah Chowdhury, Senior lawyers, chiefs of the three services, senior political leaders, editors, journalist leaders, family members of Birshreshthas, artistes, cultural personalities, senior civil and military officers, academics, business community leaders, and distinguished citizens also joined the function.

Besides, members of the National Cadet Corps of four countries -India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives – also attended the reception.

The President and the Prime Minister cut a Victory Day cake on the occasion.

President Hamid and PM Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other guests. They also enquired about the wellbeing of the injured freedom fighters and assured all-out support for their welfare.

During the reception, country’s renowned artistes, including Rafiqul Alam, Fahmida Nabi, Bappa Majumder, Mehrin and Munia Baula rendered songs while children and an army band performed at the reception.