Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Independence day in Bangladesh

Updated at 1:33 pm on 17 December 2011

The 40th birthday of Bangladesh was celebrated in Dhaka on Friday.

Formerly known as East Pakistan, the nation was created in 1971.

An estimated 10 million East Pakistani civilians fled to India, after civil war broke out with West Pakistan. The fighting lasted nine months.

India invaded East Pakistan in support of the people, forcing the Pakistani army to surrender at Dhaka.

East Pakistan became the independent country of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971.

A grand parade is staged in Dhaka every year to mark the anniversary.

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