National Revolution and Solidarity Day today
The BNP has chalked out elaborate programmes to observe National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
National Revolution and Solidarity Day is being observed today (7 November).
On this day 50 years ago, Bangladesh began a new journey through a joint revolution by members of the armed forces and the masses emerging from a state of chaos and uncertainty.
On 7 November 1975, the streets of the capital, Dhaka, and elsewhere in the country drew thousands of people to celebrate the moment for the subsequent emergence of late president Ziaur Rahman as a statesman.
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The nation once again heard him on the radio saying, "I am Zia speaking." The people breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from their chests.
Spontaneous processions of revolution and victory filled the streets. The air rang with applause, chants and slogans as soldiers and civilians embraced one another, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.
"Soldiers and people are brothers; long live Bangladesh; long live Major General Ziaur Rahman; join hands - soldiers and people, unite!" were the slogans they chanted in chorus, reflecting the hearts of soldiers and the people.
The historic 7 November thus became a turning point in Bangladesh's history, now observed as National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
Through this revolution, Bangladesh began a new journey, slowly emerging from a state of chaos and uncertainty. On this day in 1975, then-chief of army staff Major General Ziaur Rahman broke the country free from a web of geopolitical, expansionist and neo-colonial conspiracies.
In a critical moment of national crisis, patriotic revolutionary soldiers and civilians overthrew the conspirators through a mass uprising and placed Zia in leadership.
After 7 November 1975, the evolution of self-dignified, distinctive Bangladeshi culture and identity began. A new dawn of hope heralded, and the new hero of that dawn was Ziaur Rahman.
The BNP has chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
The programmes include hoisting of the party flag at the BNP central office in the capital's Naya Paltan and at party offices across the country.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with standing committee members and leaders of Dhaka city units of the party and associate and front organisations, was scheduled to pay homage to Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 10am.
Besides, a procession will be held from the BNP central office at 3pm. The BNP secretary general will inaugurate the procession.
