The victory of Chinese runner He Jie in the Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday has sparked controversy, with his win being questioned after African runners appeared to deliberately slow down to let him cross the finish line first, CNN reported. A video clip capturing the final moments of the race shows a remarkable scene: Kenya’s Willy Mnangat turns towards He Jie and gestures for him to move ahead as the four runners, including former 5km world record-holder Robert Keter of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu, run side by side just metres from the finish line. In a display that raised eyebrows, Keter then seems to signal for He Jie to overtake the pack while motioning for his compatriot and Hailu to hold back. The Chinese runner indeed crosses the finish line in 1:03:44, claiming the USD 5,500 first prize, with the trio of African runners just one second behind, jointly securing second place, according to CNN. The video clip captures the African runners applauding He’s victory and patting him on the back, though He himself appears less jubilant despite achieving his first-ever competitive half-marathon win. At 25 years old, He Jie, who has previously broken China’s marathon record twice, confessed to reporters after the race that he “was not in [his] best competitive state,” but he remained silent on the controversial finish. The race outcome swiftly ignited discussions on Chinese social media platforms, with calls for an investigation into the event and demands for action from organisers. One user on Weibo emphasised the importance of fairness in sports, stating that the “ways of the world” should not compromise the integrity of competition. Another popular comment said: “I support an investigation, and fair play is vital,” with the user adding they hoped authorities “can give a clear explanation to maintain the fairness of competition and respect athletes’ efforts.” Responding to the public outcry, race organisers, the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau, and the Chinese Athletics Association issued a statement on Monday, affirming their commitment to addressing the matter. They announced an ongoing investigation into the matte, as reported by CNN. Xstep, the Chinese sports company sponsoring both He Jie and the Beijing Half Marathon, acknowledged the situation in a statement to state-run outlet The Paper, noting that multiple parties were involved in investigating and verifying the incident. “Further information will be communicated as soon as possible,” Xstep said in a statement to the outlet. Meanwhile, World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport, acknowledged awareness of the footage circulating online and revealed that local authorities were conducting their own investigation. “The integrity of our sport is the highest priority at World Athletics,” it said. Sports analyst Mark Dreyer, author of “Sporting Superpower: An Insider’s View on China’s Quest to Be the Best,” weighed in on the controversy, describing the finish as a “bad look.” “It’s one thing for four runners running right at the end to potentially hold hands or cross the line together in a show of sportsmanship. That’s not what we saw,” he said, adding, “It’s not a sprint finish for anyone other than He Jie. It doesn’t take a genius or running expert to figure that out.” Despite the unfolding controversy, He Jie, hailing from northwest China’s Ningxia region, remains a figure of promise in long-distance running. Ranked 77th in the world in the men’s marathon by World Athletics, he is anticipated to play a significant role in representing Asian runners in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Source: The Print  

Riyan Parag top scored in the match with an unbeaten 84, while Nandre Burger and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up two wickets each for the Royals. Riyan Parag’s onslaught with the bat powered Rajasthan Royals to a 12-run win over Delhi Capitals in their second match of the Indian Premier League 2024 season at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday. Riyan Parag top-scored in the match with an unbeaten 84 off just 45 balls, while Nandre Burger and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up two wickets each for the Royals to restrict the Capitals. Put in to bat first, Rajasthan Royals overcame a slow start to put 185/5 on board. Riyan Parag, promoted to bat at number four this season, notched his highest score ever in the IPL to hold the innings together. Ravichandran Ashwin provided the initial impetus to the Royals’ innings, after the team was reduced to 31/2 after six overs. He scored three sixes to score a 19-ball 29 and added 54 off 37 balls for the fourth wicket with Riyan Parag to bring the Royals back on track. But it was Player of the Match Riyan Parag who took Rajasthan Royals to an excellent total. His innings was studded with seven boundaries and six maximums. Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer came up with cameos with the bat to provide the late burst to the Royals’ innings.  Parag first put on 52 off 23 with Jurel to take the Royals’ past 100 in the 15th over. Hetmyer then joined Parag to add an unbeaten 43 off just 16 balls for the sixth wicket to set Delhi Capitals a target of 186 runs. Axar Patel was the most effective among the Capitals’ bowlers with a spell of 1/21 off four overs. Khaleel Ahmed also picked a wicket conceding just 24 runs in his four overs. In reply, Delhi Capitals raced off the blocks quickly scoring 59 in the powerplay in spite of Nandre Burger’s double-strike in the fourth over of the innings. Just when it looked like the Capitals would run away with the match, Sandeep Sharma pulled off an excellent catch to send David Warner back off Avesh Khan’s bowling. Yuzvendra Chahal first accounted for Rishabh Pant to bring up his 50th wicket for the Royals in the IPL, before sending back Abhishek Porel in his next over to reduce the Capitals to 122/5. Rajasthan Royals picked wickets at regular intervals to keep the Capitals’ chase in check. Avesh Khan bowled a brilliant final over to subdue Tristian Stubbs’ late heroics and ensured that the Royals continued their winning run at home this season. Avesh complemented Burger and Chahal well, who picked up 2/29 and 2/19 respectively. David Warner top-scored for the Capitals with 49 off 34 balls.  With this win, the Royals have four points, and are currently placed second in the IPL 2024 points table.   Source: Rajasthan Royals

Chattogram Challengers beat Durdanto Dhaka by six wickets in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday (Jan  22). With this Chattogram Challengers has secured its second victory in three matches. Durdanto Dhaka showed a poor batting display as they were restricted to 136 runs.  Chattogram Challengers reached the target with loss of four wickets. Being asked to bat, Danushka Gunathilaka and Mohammad Naim opened the innings for Dhaka but the former had to leave the field with retired hurt. They were reduced to 4-33 as Saif Hassan (9), Mosaddek Hossain (0), Mohammad Naim (8) and Alex Ross (11) got out in quick succession.   Irfan Sukkur and Lasith Croospulle tried to rebuild the innings for Dhaka before the latter got out scoring 46 off 31. Sukkur 27, also got out as the 7th batter to Bilal Khan. Taskin Ahmed's 15 off 9 took them to 136/8 in 20 overs.   

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the victory attained by the Awami League in this election is a triumph for the people. Expressing the hope to create employment opportunities for all, Sheikh Hasina said, "We will generate employment opportunity for every single person. People's fundamental rights will be ensured further." Sheikh Hasina said action plan is worked out in three phases after formation of the government every time. "We have been receiving support and cooperation from the friendly countries. The objective of our foreign policy is friendship to all and malice to none." She said her new government would for the next five years to improve the living standard of the country's people. "Our accountability to the country's people is our first priority. We always think about how to ensure better life of them." Replying to a question about the punishment of Nobel laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, she said, "I have no responsibility about the punishment of Dr Yunus, rather it's a matter under the jurisdiction of labour court."

Bangladesh claimed an historic five-wicket win over New Zealand Wednesday after their seamers ran riot in the opening game of their three-match Twenty20 series Wednesday (Dec 27) in Napier. This was Bangladesh's first T20 win on New Zealand soil, four days after also claiming a maiden away one-day international win over the Black Caps in Napier. Asked to bat by Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto, New Zealand made a disastrous start losing three wickets before reaching 134 for nine after their 20 overs. The Black Caps bowlers gave home fans hope with the early wickets of Bangladesh opener Rony Talukdar and Shanto. Veteran Liton Das partnered up with Soumya Sarkar, then Towhid Hridoy to steer Bangladesh to 96/4 after 13 overs. The visitors were wobbling at 97/5 as they lost wickets in quick succession after Afif Hossain was caught for one run in six balls. Liton, who finished on 42 not out, survived two close calls as he battled cramp. The on-field umpire gave him out leg before wicket on Tim Southee's bowling, but the Bangladesh opener stayed at the crease when the review showed the ball would have sailed over the stumps. Ish Sodhi then caught Liton at the boundary, but stepped onto the boundary rope to give away six runs. It fell to Mahedi Hasan, who finished 19 not out, to hit the winning runs in his partnership of 40 with Liton with eight balls to spare. The second and third T20Is will both be played at Mount Maunganui Friday, then Sunday.  Bangladesh, ranked ninth in T20I cricket, punched above their weight to floor third-ranked New Zealand.  Having dismissed New Zealand for 98 in Saturday's third ODI in losing the series 2-1, the Bangladesh bowlers picked up where they left off. Mahedi bowled Tim Seifert in the opening over. Shoriful Islam was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with 3/26, including having Finn Allen caught and Glenn Phillips trapped lbw in consecutive balls. Daryl Mitchell hit consecutive fours before falling for 14 to leave New Zealand 20/4. Mark Chapman hit 19 off as many balls before being caught with the score on 50/5.  Captain Mitchell Santner and James Neesham put on 41 before Soumya grabbed his second catch to dismiss Santner, having also caught Allen in the slips. Neesham fell two runs short of his 50, holing out at deep cover point, and Southee was caught on eight. Adam Milne hit a towering six off the final ball to finish 16 not out, but Bangladesh's batters chipped away at New Zealand's tally.

After securing their first victory against New Zealand in their backyard in 19th attempt, Bangladesh felt relieved even though the landmark victory came in the dead rubber.   The historic victory in Napier helped Bangladesh avoid the whitewash which looked on the cards following their meek surrender in the first two matches.    Bangladesh lost the rain-hit first game by 44 runs before suffering a seven-wicket defeat in the second game, despite a record-breaking 169 from Soumya Sarkar.   However they hit back incredibly to dominate the third game, which they finally won by nine wickets, and that too wrapping up New Zealand innings for paltry 98 in 31.4 overs. Bangladesh raced to the victory in 15.1 overs with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hitting 42 ball-51, sending the ball across the ropes for eight times. Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy added 37 off 33.    Soumya Sarkar who made a historical century in the last match, was retired hert for 4. But he scalped 3-18 In six overs with his medium pace.    Medium pacers Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib led the way, also taking three wickets each. Mustafizur Rahman took 1-36 as the pacers took all of the 10 wickets of the opponents, which is a rare scenario in Bangladesh's perspective.    Tanzim Sakib, for his 3-14, was adjudged man of the match.    "Really proud of the way the boys played this match. Before the series, we thought we could win this series. Could not win the first two matches but thankfully we could win today," an elated Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said after the match.    Shanto was critical about bowlers' performance after the first two matches. Apart from Shoriful Islam, no one could thrive in New Zealand's condition where there was always something for the pacers. He was however happy to see that the bowlers learned a lot to show a lethal performance that won the game finally here.    "The bowlers learned a lot. They were bowling in the good areas, did not go looking for wickets. Pleased with how the bowlers bowled today," he added.   According to him, this victory will give them a lot of confidence ahead of the three-match T20 International series, starting on December 27.    After snapping the losing streak in Test and ODI, Bangladesh's only target is now to register their first victory in T20 format on New Zealand soil. Bangladesh lost all of the nine T20 matches they played against New Zealand in their backyard.   "This match (win) gives us a lot of confidence but T20 is a different format, we will plan for it accordingly. We are planning to go to some places but we have to keep in mind that we need to play T20s in a few days," he added.   New Zealand captain Tom Latham however was disappointed after failing to sweep the series.    "Obviously, it was a very below par performance. Were not able to build any partnerships and could not put pressure back on them. Bangladesh found some good movement and bowled in the right areas, credit to them," he said.    "We always knew, at the half-way mark, that they would come hard, try to hit us off our lengths. They did that. You look at the whole of the series, and it was good to give some guys experience. Every game you play, you always want to learn. The guys will certainly learn from the challenges," he added.   Source: BSS  

President Aleksandar Vucic called for the snap vote barely two years since the last parliament was elected. His ruling party is on course for an absolute majority, but the opposition has made claims of election fraud. Serbia's governing populists claimed a sweeping victory in Sunday's snap parliamentary elections. According to a near-complete preliminary tally published Monday by the state election commission, President Aleksandar Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won 47% of the vote. The largest opposition group, Serbia Against Violence (SPN), picked up 23%. How significant is the victory by Vucic's party? Vucic's name was not on the ballot, as it was not a presidential election, but the vote was widely seen as a referendum on his leadership after a turbulent year for the country. Tensions with neighboring Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, have escalated. And two back-to-back mass shootings claimed the lives of 18 people in Serbia.  The shootings rattled Vucic's support, yet his right-wing populist SNS maintained a commanding position following the vote.   "We will have an absolute majority in [the 250-seat] parliament with 127 seats," President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters.  The Kremlin welcomed the result, saying Moscow hoped it would lead to the "further strengthening of friendship" between Russia and Serbia. Observers flag voting irregularities Some electoral observers and independent media reported irregularities on voting day. One report claimed that ethnic Serbs from Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered to vote in a sports hall in Belgrade that was not an official polling station.   Observers from the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability expressed "the highest concern" over allegations that illegal voters were bussed into Belgrade from other countries. "The concentration of buses, minivans and cars was observed on several spots in Belgrade, transferring voters to polling stations across the city to vote," the civil society watchdog said.   It also reported cases of voters being given money to vote for the SNS. The opposition said it would lodge official complaints and called a street protest later on Monday. Authorities have rejected claims of any wrongdoing, and Acting Prime Minister Ana Brnabic dismissed the reports as "lies that are intended to spread panic." Ruling party challenged in local elections The parliamentary vote coincides with local elections taking place in most municipalities, the capital, Belgrade, and the northern province of Vojvodina. The Belgrade vote is shaping up to be a crucial battleground between the SNS and the centrist SPN coalition. The movement was formed in the wake of the mass shootings, which pushed hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters to the streets for months.   Vucic has dismissed the rallies as a foreign plot, often warning that Serbia would be left directionless without him. "It's not about me leaving power, but about them destroying everything," he told supporters at a recent rally.  "It would take us 20 years to fix everything ... That's why we'll beat them more convincingly than ever."

The nation is celebrating the Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bangalees, today as the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on that day 52 years back after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation. On December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued separate messages on the occasion, paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971. The programmes marking the 'Victory Day' include a 31-gun salute, placing of wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags atop all government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country. The victory day programmes also include decorating city streets and illumination of important buildings and establishments, roads and street islands at night. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar on the outskirts of the capital with the rise of the sun. They will be followed by the family members of Bir Sreshthos, wounded freedom fighters and other valiant freedom fighters led by the Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq. Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life will place wreaths to pay homage to the martyrs. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana will host a reception at Bangabhaban on Victory Day marking the country's 53rd Victory Day. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and other dignitaries are expected to join the reception on the lawn of the Bangabhaban at about 5:30pm on the day," President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS on December 14. As many as 20, 000 guests have been invited to the reception programme. Of the invitees, cabinet members, advisers, state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant freedom fighters and families of Bir Shreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens will attend the reception. The day is a public holiday. Important buildings and structures are illuminated. Besides, important roads and road islands in the capital and other cities across the country are decorated with national flags and colourful festoons. Bands of different forces play music at various important places. National dailies brought out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day while the electronic media is broadcasting month-long special programmes based on the Liberation War. Different social and cultural organisations including Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy organise Liberation War-based discussions, cultural events and drawing, essay and sports competitions for children and display Liberation War-related documentaries. On the occasion of Victory Day, a discussion titled 'Upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and the best use of digital technology in building the Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' will be held at the national, district and upazila levels across the country. Receptions will be hosted to freedom fighters and family members of martyrs at the city, district and upazila levels. Special prayers will be offered at mosques and other places of worship, seeking eternal peace in the souls of martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Improved diets will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages, old-age homes and other similar institutions across the country. All children's parks and museums will be kept open for all without tickets and Liberation War-based films will be screened in the cinema halls free of cost across the country. On the day, a documentary and poster exhibition on the history and heritage of the Liberation War will be organized at Swadhinata Stambha and Underground Museum at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city. Similar programmes will be taken at district and upazila levels as well as Bangladesh missions abroad, highlighting the significance of the day.   Source: BSS

The nation is celebrating the Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bangalees, today as the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on that day 52 years back after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation. On December 16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the cost of supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honour of nearly half a million women. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued separate messages on the occasion, paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971. The programmes marking the 'Victory Day' include a 31-gun salute, placing of wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags atop all government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country. The victory day programmes also include decorating city streets and illumination of important buildings and establishments, roads and street islands at night. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar on the outskirts of the capital with the rise of the sun. They will be followed by the family members of Bir Sreshthos, wounded freedom fighters and other valiant freedom fighters led by the Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq. Later, foreign diplomats, leaders of different political and social organisations and people from all walks of life will place wreaths to pay homage to the martyrs. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana will host a reception at Bangabhaban on Victory Day marking the country's 53rd Victory Day. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and other dignitaries are expected to join the reception on the lawn of the Bangabhaban at about 5:30pm on the day," President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS on December 14. As many as 20, 000 guests have been invited to the reception programme. Of the invitees, cabinet members, advisers, state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant freedom fighters and families of Bir Shreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens will attend the reception. The day is a public holiday. Important buildings and structures are illuminated. Besides, important roads and road islands in the capital and other cities across the country are decorated with national flags and colourful festoons. Bands of different forces play music at various important places. National dailies brought out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day while the electronic media is broadcasting month-long special programmes based on the Liberation War. Different social and cultural organisations including Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy organise Liberation War-based discussions, cultural events and drawing, essay and sports competitions for children and display Liberation War-related documentaries. On the occasion of Victory Day, a discussion titled 'Upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and the best use of digital technology in building the Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' will be held at the national, district and upazila levels across the country. Receptions will be hosted to freedom fighters and family members of martyrs at the city, district and upazila levels. Special prayers will be offered at mosques and other places of worship, seeking eternal peace in the souls of martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Improved diets will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages, old-age homes and other similar institutions across the country. All children's parks and museums will be kept open for all without tickets and Liberation War-based films will be screened in the cinema halls free of cost across the country. On the day, a documentary and poster exhibition on the history and heritage of the Liberation War will be organized at Swadhinata Stambha and Underground Museum at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city. Similar programmes will be taken at district and upazila levels as well as Bangladesh missions abroad, highlighting the significance of the day. Source: BSS  

Russian House in Dhaka, Bangladesh National Museum and Muktijudda Academy Trust jointly organized a special discussion, cultural programs and honoring of the brave freedom fighters on the occasion of celebrating the 52nd anniversary of Bangladesh's Great Victory Day. This event was held at the National Museum of the Capital on the morning of December 9, 2023. On this occasion, the organizers honored a total of 84 freedom fighters, including 52 brave freedom fighters on the battlefield and the background artist soldiers of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. Russian House in Dhaka director Pavel Dvoichenkov; Director General of Bangladesh National Museum, Md. Kamruzzaman; Muktijudda Academy Trust Chairman, Dr. Abul Kalam Azad; Former Secretary of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Taj Mohammad,  brave freedom fighter; Former Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-Freedom Fighter Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Haque; and Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Village-Freedom Fighter Professor Dr. Jahangir Alam Khan were present as guests on the occasion. The program started with the performance of the National Anthem by all. The director of the Russian House in Dhaka, Mr. Pavel Dvoychenkov inaugurated the event. Congratulating everyone on the victory, he said in his speech that the Great Victory Day of Bangladesh is a day of glory for both our countries. This day reminds us of our historic victory.  Bangladesh-Russia friendly relations are historical. On the day of the 1971 revolution, the Soviet Union stood by Bangladesh. The relationship between the two countries was developed by supporting Bangladesh in the liberation war. Since then, Russia has been working for the economic development of Bangladesh. Russia helped build large industries and power plants. The journey of this historic relationship started with the official visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the Soviet Union in 1972. Intergovernmental agreements on economic and technical cooperation, trade representation, cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation were signed during Bangabandhu's visit. At the request of Bangabandhu, the Soviet Navy, with the direct cooperation of the then Soviet Government, deactivated the Chittagong port and made the port fully operational. During the visit, at the special request of Bangabandhu, a large number of students from Bangladesh in the then Soviet Union went to study in Russia with full government scholarships. Later they returned to the country and became active in the formation of Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla. Among them, more than 6,000 Soviet and Russian graduates are currently working and holding high positions in Bangladesh and various countries around the world. He also said that the Russian government has increased the number of scholarships for Bangladeshi students to 124 in the academic year 2024-2025 due to the increasing interest of Bangladeshi students in pursuing higher education in Russia. He also assured that he would continue his efforts to increase the number of these scholarships in the future. The Russian House in Dhaka is working hard to promote higher education opportunities in Russia as well as Russian language courses for Bangladeshi students.   Director General of the Bangladesh National Museum, Md. Kamruzzaman, said the Liberation War is a memorable chapter in the history of our nation. Our brave freedom fighters have shown outstanding bravery in this war. We are eternally grateful to them for their contribution. Chairman of Muktijudda Academy Trust, Abul Azad, said freedom fighters are the best children of our nation. It is our duty to respect them. Through this program we want to show respect and gratitude to our brave freedom fighters. After the discussion, a cultural program was organized. Liberation War songs and poems were performed on the occasion. The freedom fighters present at the event shared their experiences and feelings.