source: The Daily Star 

Hundreds of thousands of people of different generations thronged Liberation War memorials across the country Monday to pay tribute to the brave sons and daughters of the soil who fought for freedom of the people 41 years ago.

A feeling of resurgence of the spirit of the Liberation War permeated the whole country amid the jubilant celebration of the Independence Day.

On March 26, 1971 valiant Bangalees of the then East Pakistan, on declaration of independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, picked up arms to resist Pakistani occupation forces, who had unleashed a genocide on the Bangalees the night before.

Victory was finally achieved on December 16 after a nine-month long struggle, and Bangladesh was born.

The celebration began with 31 gun salutes at dawn in the capital.

President Zillur Rahman, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, and stood in solemn silence for a few moments paying their respects to the martyrs.

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In Manila, Philippines,  Bangladesh celebrates its National Day Monday.

The Daily Star Editor, writes in March 26 in retrospect

So, the Bengali people’s struggle for nationhood did not start on a fine morning. The 1971 was the biggest watershed on the long trek to independence. But after the entire struggle and the blood that it spilled, what has the people’s net gain been so far? Have they been able to fulfil their mission of an exploitation-free just society after all these years?

Now, to all appearances, even after the last two decades of democratic civilian rule, we are again back to square one and much of it is due to poor leadership. The nation is divided. And this division is largely the handiwork of the present breed of politicians. All is being done in the name of partisan politics.

At the moment, the situation demands a broad national unity to resolve all the core national issues still keeping us divided. In spite of the negativities of the past, our achievements have not been little. It could have better, but for the lack of sagacious and farsighted leadership. This is what the nation is waiting for.

 In addition it is worthy to note that:

 Bangladesh to honour 129 foreigners for 1971