Dhaka, March 26 -- After more than one and a half decades, the National Parade Ground witnessed a spectacular parade by the combined forces on Independence Day, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin receiving salutes from the ceremonial stage.

The President arrived at the Parade Ground in a well-decorated military police motorcade around 10:00am and was welcomed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishrak Hossain, Army Chief General Wakar-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan.

After the national anthem was played, a guard of honour was presented to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Mohammed Shahabuddin, as...