The great Victory Day 2025 was celebrated in Khulna on Tuesday with due respect and solemnity.
The Day began at dawn with a 31-gun salute at the Khulna Metropolitan Police Lines in Boyra. At sunrise, floral wreaths were placed at the Gallamari Shaheed Memorial. The national flag was hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous and private institutions, while major roads and traffic islands of the city were decorated with national flags.
Floral tributes at the Gallamari Shaheed Memorial were paid by the Khulna District and Metropolitan Units of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Divisional Commissioner Md. Mokhter Ahmed, KCC Administrator, Range DIG Md. Rezaul Haque, Police Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan, District Commissioner A.S.M. Jamshed Khondker, representatives of government and non-government offices, educational institutions, political parties, and socio-cultural organizations.
At 8:30 am, the Divisional Commissioner of Khulna, Md. Mokhter Ahmed, formally hoisted the national flag at the Khulna District Stadium. Among others present were Range DIG Md. Rezaul Haque, Police Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan, Superintendent of Police Md. Mahbub Rahman, District Commissioner A.S.M. Jamshed Khondker, valiant freedom fighters, government officials, teachers and students. This was followed by a parade, display and student assembly. A three-day Victory Fair was inaugurated. Khulna City Corporation organized children’s art and essay competitions, discussion meetings and prize distribution at the City Hall, where the KCC Administrator Md. Mokhter Ahmed was present as the chief guest.
On the occasion of Victory Day, the Khulna Regional Information Office organized a discussion meeting and a day-long photo exhibition on the Great Liberation War and the July Mass Uprising at Shaheed Hadis Park. At 11:30 am, a reception honoring freedom fighters, families of martyrs and war-wounded freedom fighters was held at the Khulna District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium. Addressing the event as chief guest, Divisional Commissioner Md. Mokhter Ahmed said that freedom fighters are the nation’s proud sons and their contributions will always be remembered with deep respect.
Presided over by District Commissioner A.S.M. Jamshed Khondker, the program featured speeches by Range DIG Md. Rezaul Haque, Police Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan, Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Anisuzzaman, wartime commander Bir Muktijoddha S.M. Babar Ali, Convener of Muktijoddha Sangsad Metropolitan Unit Bir Muktijoddha Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Convener of Muktijoddha Sangsad District Unit Md. Abu Zafar, and Begum Nur Nahar, mother of July Mass Uprising martyr Sakib Raihan. Freedom fighters, war-wounded freedom fighters and family members of deceased freedom fighters were also present.
On the day, Bangladesh Navy ships were kept open for public viewing from 9:00 am to sunset at BIWTA Rocket Ghat. Trains, steamers, launches and ships were decorated. Various sports events including T-20 cricket tournaments, boat races, football and ha-du-du, as well as cultural programs, were organized across district and upazila levels with participation from students of schools, colleges and madrasas. Documentary screenings on the Liberation War were arranged at different open venues across the city.
Special prayers were offered after Zuhr in all mosques for the salvation of the martyrs and for peace, prosperity and progress of the nation. Similar prayers were held at temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship. Special meals were arranged at hospitals, jails, orphanages, old homes, daycare centers, rehabilitation centers and shelters. All children’s parks and recreational centers in the city were kept open free of charge for children throughout the day, while museums and tourist sites were also opened to the public without tickets.
In the afternoon, a friendly football match between Khulna City Corporation XI and District Administration XI was held at the Khulna District Stadium. Discussions on the heroism of Birshreshtha Ruhul Amin were organized at his mausoleum premises in Purba Rupsha Ghat. Children’s competitions, cultural programs and poetry recitations based on the Liberation War were also held.
Local newspapers published special supplements and features on the occasion. Bangladesh Betar Khulna will broadcast month-long special programs highlighting the glorious history of the Liberation War in observance of the Great Victory Day.
