AGARTALA, March 26 (TIWN): Bangladesh VISA Office situated at Agartala prepares for the Bangladesh Independence Day and the Bangladesh National Day celebration on March 26. The programme will commence from 8:30 morning hoisting the Bangladesh National flag at the office complex.

While, at 7:00 pm a cultural programme followed by panel discussion will be held to mark the celebration. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar will remain present at the programme as a Chief Guest.

26 March is observed as Independence Day of Bangladesh to commemorate the fact that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (our first president and one of the leaders of the independence movement) declared independence in the late hours of 25 March 1971 (or the early hours of26 March). The people of East Pakistan no longer considered themselves a part of Pakistan but rather citizens of the new country of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Liberation War ensued from 26 March onward as the Pakistani military (under orders from their president Yahya Khan) tried to restore the West Pakistani government's authority over Bangladesh.