DUSHANBE, April 26, 2016, Asia-Plus – Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev yesterday held a meeting to discuss preparations for the 25th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence.

The meeting also discussed issues related to planting trees, as well as removing illegal land acquisition cases and illegal construction in the city.

Speaking at the meeting, Ubaidulloyev also pointed to the necessity of timely fulfillment of the spring conscription campaign target.  

The mayor yesterday signed a decision on providing extraordinary grants to veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and persons equated to them on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II (WWII).

Under this decision, war veterans living in Dushanbe will receive 1,500 somoni each.  These funds will be provided by the Dushanbe mayor’s office.  Besides, each of them will receive 500 somoni provided by administrations of Dushanbe’s districts.

Victory Day marks the end of World War II in Europe, specifically the capitulation of Nazi forces to the Allies (the United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, the United States and other principal Allied nations) on May 8, 1945.

In Russia and other countries of former Soviet Union, the day of Victory over Nazi Germany was celebrated on May 9, because when the German Instrument of Surrender actually entered into force (May 8, 1945 at 23:01 CET), it was already May 9 by Moscow Time.  Post-Soviet countries have continued the tradition.