BNP has announced a two day programme to observe the Great Independence and National Day on March 26, the party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi outlined the planned activities. The party will hoist national and party flags at all its offices, including the central office, in the morning.

On the day, the president and prime minister will place wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War. BNP leaders and activists will also pay homage there on behalf of the party.

From the National Memorial, party leaders and activists will proceed to Sher e Bangla Nagar to place wreaths at the graves of the party's founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. A doa mahfil will be held at the grave premises, organised by the Jatiyatabadi Olama Dal.

On March 25, BNP will hold a discussion meeting at 2:30pm at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

Rizvi, who is also the prime minister's adviser on industry, said Independence and National Day is a major milestone in the nation's history, as independence gave Bangladesh a distinct identity on the world map and within the international community.

He said the day is highly significant as independence was achieved through long struggle and sacrifice, culminating on March 26. Rizvi noted that then Major Ziaur Rahman's declaration of independence inspired people from all walks of life, including students, workers, farmers and ordinary citizens, to join the Liberation War.

He said BNP has taken elaborate programmes to observe the day with respect for the sacrifices made during the Liberation War. The party has already published a poster marking Independence Day and will issue special supplements in national dailies.

In addition to the central two day programme, Rizvi said BNP units at district and municipal levels will organise discussion meetings and other events, while associate and affiliated bodies will implement their own programmes.

He called on leaders and activists of BNP and its associate organisations to make the programmes a success.

Sun News/ra