MONGLA, March 31 (V7N) — Speakers at an Independence Day ceremony in Mongla highlighted the vital role played by the Sundarbans, the Pashur River, and other rivers of Bengal during the Liberation War.

They recalled that rivers such as the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna became symbolic destinations for freedom fighters, with slogans like “Yours is my destination, Padma, Meghna, Jamuna” inspiring the struggle. The Sundarbans and adjacent waterways provided shelter, routes, and strategic support for resistance forces.

The event, held Tuesday afternoon at the Malgazi Mission Bari ground, featured a reception for heroic freedom fighters and a friendly football match organized by Dharitree Rakhaye Amara (Dhara), Waterkeepers Bangladesh, and Pashur River Waterkeeper.

The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Md. Nur Alam Sheikh, Pashur River Waterkeeper and Mongla coordinator of Dhara. Upazila Executive Officer Sharmin Akhter Sumi attended as chief guest, while Upazila Agriculture Officer Prashant Kumar Halder, Upazila Social Service Officer SM Masud Rana, sportsperson Sheikh Rustum Ali, development activist Tapan Mondal, headmaster Pawan Mondal, and several freedom fighters spoke as special guests.

Speakers urged the youth to embrace the spirit of the Liberation War in building the nation. Under the slogan “Football in the spirit of the Liberation War”, Chandpai XI and Malgazi XI played a friendly match.

Six freedom fighters from Malgazi and Brahmanmath villages were felicitated, including Biswas Ranjit Kumar, Manmath Biswas, and posthumously Bhagya Sarkar, Dev Prasad Sarkar, and Sultan Sikder.

The programme began with the national anthem, drawing thousands of people from different walks of life, including sports enthusiasts and those committed to the ideals of the Liberation War.

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