Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Memorial here on the outskirts of the capital, marking the 54th Victory Day.

He laid the wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at around 6:56 a.m.

After placing the wreath, the Chief Adviser stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971.

A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion.

Dr. Yunus later signed the visitors’ book kept there.

The chief justice, advisers of the interim government, chiefs of the three services, freedom fighters, diplomats, and civil and military officials, among others, were present on the occasion.

The nation is celebrating Victory Day with elaborate programmes paying homage to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for the country during the 1971 Liberation War.

Fifty-four years ago, on December 16, 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country in exchange for the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and the honour of about two lakh women.

Alongside the government, different political parties, as well as socio-political, educational, and cultural institutions and organisations, have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day.