C T Online Desk: As it happens every year, the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka city, is being prepared for celebrations marking the nation’s 54th Independence Day on Tuesday.
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Security has already been beefed up in and around the mausoleum, with intelligence activities intensifying.
The Public Works Department (PWD), which takes care of the mausoleum, has been conducting a month-long beautification and cleanliness campaign in the area.
Parts of the mausoleum have been coloured to add to the vibrant mood during one of the most joyous occasions the nation celebrates every year.
Law enforcers said that in a bid to facilitate access from and to the venue, more than 3,000 policemen, including those in plainclothes, will be deployed from Aamin Bazar to the National Mausoleum on Independence Day.
In the early hours of the day, the president, the prime minister, diplomats, freedom fighters, and their families, among others, will place wreaths at the memorial to pay tribute to the fallen war heroes.
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is scheduled to take part in the program.
PWD Deputy Assistant Engineer Mizanur Rahman, who is also in charge of the mausoleum, said that hundreds of thousands of visitors, including VVIPs and foreign diplomats, will pay their homage here.
“Keeping this in mind, we’ve been cleaning and beautifying the venue for nearly a month now. We’re almost done with our preparations,” he told this newspaper yesterday.
Dhaka-19 lawmaker Md Saiful Islam, attesting to the developments, said the memorial is almost ready for the special day.
“The last-minute works are being done now,” he said, hoping that this year’s Independent Day celebrations at the mausoleum will be held peacefully and in an organized manner.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway to welcome national leaders at the location.
On this front, Saiful said: “Highrise government buildings and establishments will be illuminated with colourful lights.”
He added that both sides of the road leading to the venue will have banners and festoons erected.
