Armed Forces Day is being observed on Thursday (November 21) amid festivity and enthusiasm marking the establishment of the army, navy and air force during the 1971 Liberation War.
The day's programmes commenced with special prayers offered after Fajr prayers at mosques across all cantonments, naval bases and air force bases in the country.
To mark the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the supreme commander of the armed forces, and Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus delivered separate messages.
The president and the chief adviser placed wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (Flame Eternal) at Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday morning.
Later, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan also laid wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces.
The chief adviser is scheduled to exchange pleasantries and have a courtesy meeting with the chiefs of the three services at his Armed Forces Division office in Dhaka cantonment.
The chiefs of the three services will later pay a courtesy call on the president at Bangabhaban.
On the occasion, the chief adviser will accord a reception to the selected gallantry award-winning valiant freedom fighters and their family members at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka cantonment.
He will also distribute souvenirs and exchange greetings with the gallantry award-winning war veterans at that time.
To mark the day, on behalf of the chief adviser, a reception will also be held at Sena Kunja in Dhaka cantonment at 4:00 pm on Thursday.
Various programmes have also been chalked out at different army garrisons and naval and air bases outside Dhaka to mark the day.
Bangladesh Navy will keep its ships open for all visitors from 2:00 pm until the sun sets at different naval ghats in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur, Barisal and Chittagong on Thursday.
A "Special Anirban" programme illustrating the significance of the day will be telecast on BTV after Wednesday's 8:00 pm news.
Additionally, Bangladesh Betar will broadcast another programme, "Bishesh Durbar," at 7:30 pm on Thursday.
The "Special Anirban" programme will be telecast later on other television channels gradually.
National dailies published special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
bd-pratidin/GR
