Massive Independence Day march planned

Showing love and respect for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the movements leading to the country's liberation in 1971, people are preparing to join a huge march on Independence Day.

Participants will start off from Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka for the 36km march to the National Memorial in Savar, on the outskirts of the capital.

The organisers, Liberation War Museum and Abhijatri, expect huge participation.

The march will start from Shaheed Minar at 6:00am and touch historic places like the Rokeya Hall killing field, Bangabandhu's home at Dhanmondi 32, Asad Gate, Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Memorial, and Shyamoli SOS Palli where war babies took shelter during the Liberation War.

Anybody will be able to take part by registering for Tk 1,000, which will be a donation to build the Liberation War Museum at Agargaon, said Nishat Majumder, first Bangladeshi woman to scale Mount Everest, reading out a statement during a press conference on the museum's current premises yesterday. Pre-registration could be done at the museum or through Facebook, she said.

Nishat said it was not mandatory for everyone to walk the full distance; some could parade only 1km.

Participants will also be able to register at the spot -- at Central Shaheed Minar from 5:00am to 6:00am, Dhanmondi 32 from 7:00am to 8:00am, Asad Gate from 7:15am to 8:15am, Shyamoli SOS Shishu Palli from 8:30am to 9:30am, Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Memorial from 9:00am to 10:00am, Khagain campus of Brac University from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, and Bishmail Bus Stop on Dhaka Aricha Highway from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

Every participant will get a certificate from the Liberation War Museum, said Nishat.

Mofidul Huque, trustee of the museum, said when the participants would march through historical places and ride boats at some places, they would be able to picture the sufferings of the freedom fighters and the reality of 1971.

Zakaria Beg, an initiator of the parade, said even if 10 lakh people joined the march, they would be able to manage it in a disciplined way as everyone would be united and bear the same spirit.

Sharif Reza, a volunteer of the Liberation War Museum, said during the war, 38 youths had marched 2,000km from Bangladesh to India, demanding independence and protesting genocide.

Bird expert Inam Al Haque said they expected one lakh participants in the march.

Anyone could call 01982100145 or visit facebook.com/walkamileforlwm for further details.