Bangladesh celebrates 37 years of Independence

BANGLADESH: Bangladesh celebrated 37 years of independence yesterday, as tens of thousands visited a national memorial outside the capital and political parties held rallies for upcoming elections.

Bangladesh - formerly East Pakistan - became an independent nation in 1971, when Pakistani troops surrendered to a joint Bangladeshi-Indian military command. India aided the Bangladeshi war effort.

The victory was heralded Tuesday with a 31-gun salute at dawn, followed by masses heading to a memorial to pay homage to the nearly 3 million people killed during a nine-month war with Pakistan.

Schoolchildren held parades, while neighborhoods organized war exhibitions, friendly sports matches, concerts and fairs to mark “Victory Day.” The red and green national flag flew atop houses and cars.

The country’s two main political parties and their allies, meanwhile, held campaign rallies ahead of the Dec. 29 parliamentary polls.

Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since Jan. 11, 2007, when President Iajuddin Ahmed canceled scheduled elections to quell months of violent political protests.

DHAKA, Tuesday, AP