Read the passage and then answer the questions below.

   Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajganj Town Protection Embankment. Her polythene-roofed shelter looks like a cage. She is nearly 45 but looks more than her age. In front of her shelter, she is trying to make a fire to cook the day's only meal, Her weak hands tremble as she adds some fallen leaves and straw to the fire. The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady. The dancing of the flames reminds Meherjan of the turmoil in her life. Not long ago Meherjan had everything a family, cultivable land and cattle. The erosion of the Jamuna consumed all her landed property gradually. It finally claimed her only shelter during the last monsoon. It took the river only a day to demolish Meher's house, trees, vegetable garden and the bamboo bush. She had a happy family once Over the years, she lost her husband and her family to diseases that cruel hunger and poverty brought to the family. Now, she is the only one left to live on with the loss and the pain. The greedy Jamuna has shattered her dreams and happiness.

There are thousand others waiting to share the same fate like Meherjan. Bangladesh is a land of rivers that affect its people. Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the riverbanks. During each monsoon, many more villages are threatened by the roaring rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma and the Meghna. It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 1,00,000 people homeless every year in Bangladesh, In fact, river erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change. If we can't take prompt action to adapt to climate change, there will be thousands of more Meherjans in our towns and villages every year.

Our Independence Day

26 March reminds us of the historic day in 1971 when Bangladesh declared its independence. It signifies the commencement of our nine-month-long Liberation War and the ultimate victory against oppression. The day is celebrated annually to commemorate the heroic struggle and immense sacrifices made by the people to achieve a sovereign nation.

26 March is observed as Bangladesh's Independence Day because on this day in 1971, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared the independence of Bangladesh. This declaration ignited the Liberation War against Pakistan, leading to nine months of intense conflict. The day serves as a solemn reminder of the immense sacrifices made by millions of martyrs and freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country's sovereignty. It is a day of national pride, remembrance, and renewal of the commitment to uphold the values for which the nation was founded.

The beginning of Independence Day celebrations.

The 31-gun salute is a ceremonial gesture that marks the official beginning of the Independence Day festivities in Bangladesh. It is a traditional military honor, serving as a symbol of respect and solemnity for the occasion. This salute commemorates the sacrifices made during the 1971 Liberation War and honors the birth of the nation. It sets a formal and respectful tone for the day's events, which include various cultural programs and tributes to the martyrs.

The cultural programmes held on Independence Day play a vital role in educating and inspiring the populace. They specifically highlight the arduous struggle and immense sacrifices made by the people of Bangladesh during the Liberation War of 1971. These events serve to remind everyone, especially the youth, about the historical context and the profound price paid to achieve the nation's independence, thereby reinforcing national pride and patriotism.

We pay homage to the martyrs by placing floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar and by participating in rallies and processions.

On Independence Day, it is a national tradition to pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country's freedom in 1971. This homage is primarily offered at the National Mausoleum in Savar, where the President, Prime Minister, other leaders, and people from all walks of life place floral wreaths. This act signifies the nation's profound respect and gratitude for their supreme sacrifice. Additionally, various rallies and processions are organized throughout the day, reinforcing the remembrance and celebration of their heroic struggle.

From this passage, we become inspired by the profound significance of Independence Day as a commemoration of the heroic struggle and immense sacrifices made in 1971 to achieve our nation's freedom. The description of nationwide celebrations with great enthusiasm, the respectful homage paid to martyrs at the National Mausoleum, and the various cultural programs highlighting the historical struggle and sacrifice, all instill a deep sense of patriotism and gratitude towards those who fought for independence. This reminds us of the importance of unity and determination in safeguarding our hard-earned sovereignty.