AGARTALA, March 26 (TIWN): Agartala Bangladesh Visa Office on Saturday celebrated the Independence Day of Bangladesh. To mark the occasion, National Flag of Bangladesh was hoisted by the high official of Bangladesh Visa office, Agartala. While, at 7:00 pm a cultural programme followed by panel discussion was held to mark the celebration.

26 March is observed as Independence Day of Bangladesh to commemorate the fact that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (our first president and one of the leaders of the independence movement) declared independence in the late hours of 25 March 1971 (or the early hours of 26 March).

The people of East Pakistan was no longer considered themselves as a part of Pakistan but rather citizens of the new country of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Liberation War ensued from 26 March onward as the Pakistani military (under orders from their president Yahya Khan) tried to restore the West Pakistani government's authority over Bangladesh.

Bangladesh celebrated its 45th Independence Day on Saturday, the day it emerged as a sovereign nation, breaking the shackles of suppression of Pakistan.

Bengalis pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War. The Independence Day is also referred as 26 March is a national holiday. It commemorates the country’s declaration of independence from Pakistan on late hours of 25 March 1971.

The day is a memorial to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians who died in the subsequent Bangladesh Liberation War.

Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, political speeches, fairs, concerts, and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, and traditions of Bangladesh. TV and radio stations broadcast special programs and patriotic songs.

The main streets are decorated with national flag. Different political parties and socio-economic organizations undertake programs to mark the day in a befitting manner.

The independence of Bangladesh was formally declared on March 26, 1971 by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who later became the country's first president. However, the country became fully independent once the Bangladesh Liberation War ended on December 16, 1971.  Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founding leader of Bangladesh. He was the head of state (President) of the Provisional Government of Bangladesh and became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 1972. He is popularly referred to as Sheikh Mujib or simply Mujib, with the honorary title of Bangabandhu He is also known as the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh. His daughter Sheikh Hasina is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

The anniversaries of both events – the proclamation of independence and end of the war – were declared public holidays.