As part of the nationwide grand celebrations of the Victory Day on December 16, Bangladesh is preparing to set a world record by parachuting with the highest number of national flags.
“Preparations are underway to take a large-scale special programme to celebrate the great Victory Day on December 16. Along with other arrangements to celebrate the day with due dignity, Bangladesh is preparing to set a world record by parachuting with the highest number of flags,” said a press release of the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing Monday evening.
The press wing issued the release following a preparatory meeting on the occasion of the Victory Day 2025 at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO) here this afternoon with Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, in the chair.
According to the decision, to mark the 54th anniversary of the country’s independence, 54 paratroopers from the Bangladesh Army, Air Force, and Navy will perform a flag-bearing skydive, which would be the largest-ever flag-parachuting display in the world, setting a new Guinness World Record.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah, Senor Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry Nasimul Ghani, Senior Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry Md Ehsanul Hoque, Principal Staff Officer (PSO), secretary of the Defence Ministry and other officials concerned attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed the preparations of different ministries to celebrate the victory day on a large-scale through comprehensive programmes.
As part of the Victory Day events, the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force will conduct separate fly-past demonstrations at the old Tejgaon Airport in the city from 11:00 am. A special Victory Day band show will also take place.
At 11:40am, the 54-member “Team Bangladesh” will perform their flag-bearing parachute jump in celebration of the 54th year of independence. This event will be open to the public.
Similar fly-past demonstrations will also be conducted by the armed forces in other cities across the country. Alongside them, the police, BGB, and Ansar will organize band shows nationwide. All of the events will be open to the public.
Besides, like the previous years, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will organise three-day Victory Fairs in all districts and upazilas across the country.
District and upazila administrations will arrange recitation, essay writing and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children and organise cultural events to celebrate the day.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs will organise an acrobatic show at 3:00pm and a ‘Jatra Pala’ titled “General Osmani” at 6:00pm at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city on December 15.
On December 16, the ministry will arrange Victory Day songs at the same venue from 3:00pm. Simultaneously, young artists across all 64 districts will sing songs of the historic Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam expressed enthusiasm following discussions and said, “Victory Day is a glorious day for Bangladesh. This year, extensive preparations are underway to ensure participation from all walks of life—regardless of religion, ethnicity, age, class, or background”.
The entire nation will join the celebration together, he added.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said many of the inspiring songs during the 2024 mass uprising were rooted in the spirit of the Liberation War.
“I am sure it happened organically. This reflects how deeply the new generation values the nation and its identity,” he continued.
Referring to the government’s extensive programmes to celebrate the Victory Day, the cultural affairs adviser said, “We hope this year’s celebration will surpass all previous years’ observances”.
Marking the day, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will publish special supplements.
As per regulations, national flags will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions, as well as at Bangladesh embassies and missions abroad.
Buildings and establishments will be illuminated nationwide. As is tradition, the Victory Day celebration will begin with a 31-gun salute while special events will be organised at educational institutions across the country. Reception ceremonies honoring freedom fighters will be held at district and upazila levels.
Besides, Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard vessels will remain open to the public from 9am until sunset at BIWTC jetties, including at the ports of Chattogram, Khulna, Mongla, and Payra, as well as Dhaka Sadarghat, Pagla, and Barishal.
Cinema halls across the country will screen Liberation War films free of charge for students while documentaries based on Liberation War will be screened at auditoriums and open places across the country.
The government and autonomous museums will be open to the public all day without entry fees, while all entertainment venues across the country will offer free entry for children.
Special prayers will be held at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas, and other places of worship seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of martyred freedom fighters and the well-being of wounded veterans.
Improved diets will be served in all hospitals, prisons, old-age homes, orphanages, street-children rehabilitation centres, disability welfare centres, daycare centres, child development centres and Shishu Paribar and under-privileged children across the country.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
