DUSHANBE, May 10, Asia-Plus - President Rahmonov took part in events dedicated to the 61 ^st anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 tat were held in the Victory Park in Dushanbe on May 9.   

According to information from presidential press service, the events began with laying wreaths at the Victory Memorial.  

Addressing a meeting in the park dedicated to this anniversary Rahmonov expressed gratitude to veterans for their self-sacrificing labor.  

Rahmonov noted 250,000 people from Tajikistan participated in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945; of them, more than 90,000 servicemen died in that war.  54 representatives from Tajikistan had been given a title of the Hero of the Soviet Union and 15 others had become full holders of the Glory Order. 

The president noted that the country’s leadership was doing all in its power for improving living standards of the war veterans living in the republic and 12 resolutions on this subject had been adopted over the past decade.  He expressed hope that the veterans would take an active part in the events dedicated to a Day of Unity, 15 ^th anniversary of Tajikistan ’s Independence , a Year of Aryan Civilization, Forum of Tajiks of the World and the 2700 ^th anniversary of the city of Kulob that would be held in Tajikistan this year.  

On occasion of the 61 ^st anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 a military parade was held in the Victory Park in Dushanbe yesterday.  President Rahmonov, heads of both Chambers of Tajik Parliament, and Defense Minister attended the parade involving some 1,000 servicemen of Tajikistan ’s Armed Forces.

At present 5,500 veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 11941-1945 are currently living in Tajikistan .  Beginning on May 1, presidential pension of 100 Somonis (more than US$30.00) a month is added to the pension of the veterans and invalids of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.