National
Nation Observes Victory Day Today
The nation is observing Victory Day, a momentous occasion for the Bangalees, commemorating the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistani occupation forces 52 years ago after a nine-month-long War of Liberation, marked by immense sacrifice. On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at the cost of three million lives and the honor of nearly half a million women.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages, offering heartfelt tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War. The Victory Day programs include a 31-gun salute, wreath-laying at monuments to honor martyrs, and the hoisting of national flags across government, semi-government, and private offices nationwide.
Decorations of city streets, illumination of key buildings, and a night-time transformation of roads and street islands are part of the celebratory activities. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the homage-paying ceremony at the National Memorial in Savar, followed by family members of Bir Sreshthos, wounded freedom fighters, and other valiant individuals.
A reception at Bangabhaban hosted by President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife, Dr. Rebecca Sultana, will mark the 53rd Victory Day, with prominent dignitaries expected to attend. The day is a public holiday, and various events, including discussions, cultural programs, and competitions for children, will take place nationwide. National media will feature special supplements and month-long programs in remembrance of the Liberation War.
The occasion will witness illuminated buildings, special prayers for martyrs, improved diets in institutions, free access to children’s parks and museums, and the screening of Liberation War-based films across the country. Additionally, a documentary and poster exhibition on the history and heritage of the Liberation War will be organized in the city, with similar programs at district, upazila levels, and Bangladesh missions abroad to emphasize the significance of the day.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
