The country is observing the National Revolution and Solidarity Day today commemorating the 51st anniversary of the historic events of November 7, 1975.
On the eve of the day, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages.
The government has taken an elaborate programme to mark the day as it has been declared a public holiday.
As part of the programme, the national flag remains hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous, private buildings and educational institutions across the country as well as Bangladesh missions abroad. Major roads and road islands have been decorated with national flags.
The programme includes discussions at district and upazila levels, children’s drawing competitions, special broadcasting of the Nov-7, 1975 programmes on state-run television and radio channels as well as private broadcasters and cultural events to be organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The Armed Forces is also arranging programmes, including a colourful display at the Army Stadium in Dhaka.
Special prayers and munajat will be offered at mosques across the country at convenient times, seeking peace, prosperity and progress for the nation.
Special prayers will also be held at temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship.
Improved diets will be served at hospitals, prisons, orphanages, child centres, Shishu Paribars, Shishu Sadans, juvenile correction centres, Shanti Nibash facilities and institutions for vagrants at convenient times.
All children’s parks across the country remain open free of charge throughout the day under the management of city corporations and municipalities.
Special discussions and essay competitions will also be arranged at educational institutions.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting arranged the publication of special articles, literary supplements and special supplements in national dailies.
Documentary films will also be screened at cinema halls and through mobile vans. Football matches will also be arranged at district headquarters and upazilas.
A special commemorative discussion will be held with the participation of families of martyred freedom fighters, war-wounded freedom fighters and valiant freedom fighters.
A colourful display will be staged at the Army Stadium in Dhaka under the supervision of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps.
The Dhaka Elevated Expressway remains toll-free for all vehicles for six hours today on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
The toll waiver will remain effective from 6am to 12 noon, allowing vehicles to use the expressway without paying any toll during the period.
Ruling BNP has also taken a seven-day programme from November 5 to 11 to observe the day. As part of the programmes, national and party flags remain hoisted on November 7 at the BNP central office and party offices across the country.
The party will bring out a colourful rally from in front of its central office in Naya Paltan at 3 pm today.
District and metropolitan-level rallies will also be organised across the country today, while rallies will be held at upazila levels on November 8.
BNP and its affiliated organisations will also arrange discussions and other programmes marking the occasion.
Jubo Dal will organise a meeting on November 10. Krishak Dal will arrange a discussion at 11 am on November 9, and JASAS will hold a discussion and cultural programme at 3 pm the same day.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal will organise a photography exhibition at Dhaka University campus at 11 am today, followed by a discussion meeting on November 8. Olama Dal will distribute educational materials among orphan students.
The BNP has called upon its leaders and activists at all levels to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the programmes marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
