National
Bangladesh Observed Independence Day Today
The Independence Day of Bangladesh is celebrated on 26 March as a national holiday in Bangladesh. It commemorates the country’s declaration of independence from Pakistan in the early hours of 25 March 1971.
In the 1970 Pakistani general election, under the military government of President Yahya Khan, the largest political party Awami League, led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a clear majority in East Pakistan national seats as well as provincial assembly. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto conspired with Yahya Khan and changed their position, refusing to hand over power to Sheikh Mujib.
Negotiations began between the two sides, however, the ruling West Pakistani leadership did not trust Sheikh Mujib, due to instances such as the Agartala conspiracy case. When it became evident that the promises made by the West Pakistan government were not going to be kept, many East Pakistani Bangla-speaking Muslims and Hindus began a spirited struggle for independence.
On 7 March 1971, Sheikh Mujib gave his famous speech at the Ramna Racecourse, in which he called for a non-cooperation movement.
Authorities, mostly West Pakistani personnel, rounded up Bengali armed forces officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel. Forced disappearances went rampant. On the evening of 25 March, in an interview with David Frost, Sheikh Mujib still called out openly for negotiation and a united Pakistan. That night the Pakistan Army began Operation Searchlight, conclusively signalling West Pakistan was not ready for a transfer of political power to the Awami League led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[4]
The Independence of Bangladesh was declared on 26 March 1971 at the first watch by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman . Another declaration was read out on 27 March 1971, by Major Ziaur Rahman, on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Major Zia (who was also a BDF Sector Commander of Sector 1 and later of Sector 11) raised an independent Z Force brigade, Chittagong and the guerilla struggle officially began.
The people of Bangladesh then took part in a nine-month guerilla war against the Pakistan Army and their collaborators, including paramilitary Razakars. This resulted in the death of about 3 million Bangladeshi, as per Awami league and Indian sources, in the Bangladesh War of Independence and Bangladesh Genocide. The BDF, later with military support from India, defeated the Pakistan Army on 16 December 1971, leading to the end of the war and the Surrender of Pakistan.
Rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, are likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, with hail expected at isolated places in the next 24 hours starting from 9 am today.
“A severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia, while a mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over Dhaka, Rangpur, and Barishal divisions, along with the rest of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions, and the district of Moulvibazar. It may continue,” the weather bulletin said.
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country. Due to increased moisture incursion, discomfort may increase, it added.
The country’s maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 40.8 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga, while today’s minimum temperature of 20.5 degrees Celsius was recorded in Nikli.
Rainfall for the last 24 hours until 6:00 am today was recorded at 22 mm in Srimangal.
The sun sets at 6:22 pm today and rises at 5:33 am tomorrow in the capital.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Livestock Services Week and Fair on Thursday with the aim of promoting poultry and dairy farmers through the development of the sector.
The prime minister officially opened the 2-day fair at the old Trade Fair Ground at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar beside the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
The Department of Livestock Services of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry organized the fair with the assistance of the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) and the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Council (BPIC).
The fair will be open from 10 am to 8:00 pm daily, with no entry fee required for visitors.
Farmers from the poultry and dairy sectors across the country will participate in the event to display their cattle and birds at the fair.
Simultaneous fairs have been organized at 466 upazilas of 64 districts.
The prime minister toured the fairground, stopping at various stalls to see the livestock displayed at the show.
According to the organizers, some 25 pavilions and 30 stalls have been set up at the fairground to showcase the varieties of livestock in the country. Seven pavilions have been dedicated to government authorities.
More than 3,000 farmers out of the total 55,000 members of the BDFA from Dhaka, Cumilla, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Bogura, Pabna, Sirajganj, Jashore, Benapole, Kushtia, and Chuadanga, and other districts participated in the fair.
According to the organizers, the fair will provide grassroots farmers with the opportunity to conduct business with mega-companies.
This morning, Dhaka’s air quality has been categorized as ‘unhealthy’. With an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 159 at 08:56 am, Dhaka stands as the fourth city on the global list with the poorest air quality. Topping the list are Lahore in Pakistan, Kathmandu in Nepal, and Delhi in India, with AQI scores of 172, 167, and 163 respectively.
According to the classification, when the AQI value for particle pollution falls between 101 and 150, the air quality is labeled as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’. Between 151 and 200, it’s termed as ‘unhealthy’, while readings between 201 and 300 indicate ‘very unhealthy’ conditions. A reading exceeding 301 is considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks to the residents.
