Bangladesh, March 26 -- The nation is celebrating the 56th Independence and National Day today in a befitting manner.

On the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, on the outskirts of the capital.

Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, cabinet members, chiefs of the three services, senior BNP leaders, war-wounded freedom fighters, family members of martyrs, diplomats, political leaders, and high civil and military officials, among others, were present.

The armed struggle for independence formally began in the early hours of March 26, 1971, following the brutal crackdown on unarmed people on the 'B...