The supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day, 70 years back, is being remembered as people are
paying glowing tributes to 1952 language martyrs by placing wreaths at
the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar at midnight tonight maintaining
health guidelines.
On behalf of the President and the Prime Minister, President's
Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam and Prime
Minister's Military Secretary Major General Naquib Ahmed Chowdhury
placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero
hours.
The immortal song on Amar Ekushey--"Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano
Ekushey February"- was playing on the loudspeaker on the occasion.
Later, sergeant-at-arms on behalf of Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Dr
Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Awami League Presidium Member Matia
Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Nahid, Shajahan Khan and Mofazzal Hossain
Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram on behalf of Awami League President Sheikh
Hasina and Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on
behalf of Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begun Rowshan Ershad
placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Among others, AL Joint-General Secretary Dr. Dipu Moni and Dr.
Hassan Mahmud, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Secretary of
Forestry and Environmental Affairs Delwar Hossain and Deputy Office
Secretary Sayem Khan also paid homage to the language movement
martyrs.
Chiefs of three services, ambassadors, high Commissioners, chief of
deferent international organizations, attorney general, diplomats,
freedom fighters and high civil and military officials also placed
wreathes on the occasion.
People representing different political and other organisations then
thronged the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar to offer their floral
tributes maintaining health guidelines.
Later, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman, Dhaka
University Teachers' Association, war-wounded freedom fighters of the
1971 Liberation War, different political parties and socio-cultural
organisations paid their homage.
Later on, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public when hundreds
of people from all walks of life walked barefoot to it with flowers in
hands and humming "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" to
recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in
1952.
The day is also being observed around the world as the UNESCO
recognised the February 21 as the International Mother Language Day on
November 17, 1999.
The government took extensive programmes to observe the 'Shaheed
Dibash' and the International Mother Language Day in a befitting
manner.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave
separate messages paying rice tributes to those who embraced martyrdom
on the day.
Tight security was enforced around the main altar of the Shaheed
Minar, its adjoining areas and Azimpur graveyard of the language
martyrs.
Different political-social-cultural-professional organisations,
including the ruling Awami League, also have taken various programmes
such as seminars and cultural functions, to observe the Amar
(immortal) Ekushey and International Mother Language Day in a
befitting manner.
The Cultural Affairs Ministry has drawn up an elaborate programme to
observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' (Language Martyrs Day) and the
International Mother Language Day-2021 with solemn dignity.
Bangabandhu's special contribution to the language movement will be
presented in various programmes on Martyrs' Day and International
Mother Language Day in line with the birth centenary of Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
National flags will be kept half-mast in a proper manner having
accurate size at all the government, semi-government, autonomous and
private organisations and educational institutions.
In line with the national programmes, all educational institutions,
local government bodies, district and upazila administration,
Bangladeshi missions abroad will take proper measures considering the
COVID-19 situation to observe the day.
To mark the day, national and party flags will be kept half-mast and
black flags will be hoisted atop at the AL's Bangabandhu Avenue
central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban and other offices of the AL
across the country at 6:30 am on Sunday.
Other programmes include wearing of black badges at 7am and later
bringing out Provat Feri from south gate of New Market as a mark of
respect to the Language Movement martyrs.
Considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation and following the
proper hygiene rules, a maximum of 5 delegates from each organization
and a maximum of 2 persons at the individual level are laying wreaths
at the Shaheed Minar.
Basin and liquid soaps will be provided for hand washing purpose at
all entrances of Shaheed Minar.
No one will be allowed to enter the Shaheed Minar premises without
wearing a mask.
Key city points and crossings and intersections were decorated with
festoons with inscription of Bangla letters.
Source: BSS
AH
