The nation is celebrating the 45th Victory Day in flag-waving mood today (Wednesday) paying rich tributes to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice during the 1971 Liberation War.The day started with a 31-gun salute in capital Dhaka at dawn.On this day in 1971, Pakistani occupation forces surrendered after nine-month-long battle that ensued after the proclamation of independence of Bangladesh by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 26.The day is a public holiday. The cityscape in capital Dhaka as well as all the other urban areas has taken a festive look with special displays of banners and festoons on the streets while all the public transports as well as private vehicles are waving the national flag.Citizens all across the country have also let fly the national flag proudly from the corners of their houses and celebrating the red letter day with friends and families.President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar in the morning.A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion when bugles played the last post.Later, Sheikh Hasina laid another wreath at the National Memorial as Awami League president.The Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, the Chief Justice, ministers, the leader of the opposition, the chiefs of the three services, members of parliament, freedom fighters, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present.Later in the day, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia accompanied her party men and placed her respect to the martyrs of Liberation War at National Mausoleum.The Prime Minister also paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion.She paid the homage by placing a floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the morning.Meanwhile, the Prime Minister released six commemorative stamps, three first day covers, three data cards and a souvenir at her official Ganobhaban residence here this morning. A special cancelor was used on the occasion.Bangladesh Post Office issued the six stamps -- one on the Victory Day (Taka 10), four on traditional boats (Taka 10 each) and one on the historic concert staged at Madison Square in New York by Sitar Maestro Pundit Ravi Shankar and world famous singer George Harrison in 1971 (Taka 60) -- on the occasion of the 45th Victory Day.It also published a Taka 100 souvenir, three first day covers (Taka 10 each) and three data cards (Taka 5 each) on the occasion.As part of the day`s programme, a colourful parade is being held at the National Parade Square at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning. Freedom fighters, army, navy, air force, BNCC, police, Ansar, Coast Guard, and Fire Service have taken part in the parade.Different political and cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programme to the mark the Victory Day.Cyclists brought out a huge bicycle rally, titled ‘Bijoy Ride 2015’, by BDCyclists from the Manik Mian Avenue in the morning. The rally paraded all the important city streets.Skaters, wearing headbands resembling the national flag, also brought out a rally across the city streets on the occasion.