President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana, on Saturday hosted a reception programme at Bangabhaban, marking the country's 53rd Victory Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana joined the reception on the lush green lawn of the Bangabhaban, presidential palace, in the afternoon.

Several hundred guests, including Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, attended the function which took place from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.

Besides, cabinet members, advisers, state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, members of the parliament, war veterans from home and abroad, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant freedom fighters and families of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens attended the reception.

Newspaper editors and journalist leaders also attended the festive gathering alongside top civil and military officials.

On the occasion, President Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also cut a cake there on the occasion. They also exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other dignitaries and guests at the function.

The Victory Day is a national holiday and it is celebrated on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the allied forces over the Pakistani occupation forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

The Pakistani occupation forces surrendered to the joint forces of Bangladesh and India ending the ninth-month Liberation War and turning East Pakistan into Bangladesh.

During the reception, country's renowned artistes, including several children of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, rendered songs while a band group performed there.