Celebrating Victory Day
Today the nation is stepping into the 47th year of Bangladeshs victory over the Pakista armed forces and their Bengali collaborators. Today is the time to pay homage to the three million heroes of the Liberation War who laid down their lives so that we may taste the fruits of liberty. It is time to remember the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu, and the four national leaders who, inspired by Bangabandhu, who led Bangladesh to victory over the occupied forces of Pakistan. We also remember with gratitude the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for Bangladesh.
The country has come far from the days of injustice and persecution suffered under the hands of Pakistanis during the 24 years under Pakistan and the harrowing nine months of war. However, it is also a time for stocktaking to see whether we have lived up to the dreams of our martyrs.
The liberation of Bangladesh was inevitable. Pakistan was an absurd geographic entity that simply could not last. However the West Pakistani rulers did not help their cause too much by deliberately ignoring and humiliating the Bengalis at every step. Pakistan offered a bizarre example in nationhood . Created expressly to safeguard the Muslims of the subcontinent, Pakistan perpetrated the biggest genocide of Muslims since the arrival of Islam in South Asia.
On the night of March 25, Pakistani military conducted a cowardly attack on innocent sleeping Dhaka people. They conducted a mass killing at different places in Dhaka including Pilkhana, EPR, Rajarbag Police Lines and Dhaka University along with student hotels and teachers residences.
Early the March 26, Pakistan forces arrested Bengalis unanimous leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from his Dhanmondi residence. He, however, announced the Independence of Bangladesh before being arrested that animated the freedom loving people to participate in the battle field.
Later on, they built out and out preventions against the Pakistan forces one by one. They formed a government in exile crowning Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as president, separated the country into several sectors and formed several forces inlcuding Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters), Guerilla Bahini and Mujib Bahini to conduct the Liberation War.
Finally on December 16 of the year, the nation earned the victory with the sacrifices of three million lives and the supreme honour of thousands of women. It is obviously undeniable that there are a few nations in the world who made such sacrifices for their freedom.
