Historic March 7 today

Today is the historic March 7.

This year the observance of the day will be more significant as the nation is going to celebrate the golden jubilee of the country's independence on March 26 while "Mujib Year", the yearlong celebration of Bangabandhu's birth centenary is ongoing.

On this day in 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his fiery speech called on the freedom-loving Bangalis to wage a decisive struggle against the Pakistani rulers.

"Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram [The struggle this time is a struggle for emancipation, the struggle this time is a struggle for independence]", Bangabandhu declared in a thunderous voice at a mammoth rally at the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) that day.

"Turn every house into a fortress, resist the enemy with everything you have... Having mastered the lesson of sacrifice, we shall give more blood. God willing [Inshallah], we shall free the people of this land," Bangabandhu also said in his speech.

On the night of March 25, just 18 days after the 7th March speech, the Pakistani military launched genocide on innocent unarmed Bangalis, the most gruesome and shameful act the human history has ever seen.

Shortly before his arrest on the black night, Bangabandhu proclaimed the independence.

On October 30 in 2017, Unesco recognised the historic speech as part of the world's documentary heritage.

To mark the day, different political parties and socio-cultural organisations have chalked out various programmes, including laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and holding discussions and rallies, maintaining health guidelines.

The government has made hoisting national flag at all public and private buildings in the country and its diplomatic missions abroad compulsory on the historic March 7 from this year.

The "Historic March 7 National Day" observance programme will be held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 3pm today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join it virtually as chief guest.

Marking the day, Islamic Foundation called for arranging special prayers at all mosques, seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and 1971 Liberation War martyrs.

Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations will broadcast special programmes while national dailies will bring out special supplements.