President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tribute to the language martyrs with flowers at the central Shaheed Minar in the first hour of Ekushey. President Mohammad Abdul Hamid paid tribute first to the language martyrs with floral wreath. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid respect to the martyrs. They expressed deep respect to the martyrs by standing silent there. At that time the ageless music of Amar Ekushey was playing-‘Amar Bhayer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February….’ Aftermath Sheikh Hasina as Awami League president offered floral wreath at the Shaheed Minar along with cabinet members and senior leaders of the party. After the premier, Speaker of the parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury paid floral respect at the Shaheed Minar. Later leaders of 14 party alliance including Awami League, opposition party in the parliament, diplomats of different countries, chiefs of three services and police chief paid tributes. Then after the important persons the Shaheed Minar was made open for all. To pay their respect to the martyrs several thousand people stood in lines before the clock touched 12 midnight. Leaders and activists of different political parties, socio-cultural organizations were waiting to offer flowers at the podium of Sheheed Minar. Restriction was imposed over movement of people in whole Dhaka University area including the Shaheed Minar premises from Tuesday evening to observe the event peacefully. Bangali nation attained the rights of language through sacrifice of the language martyrs. The whole nation is memorizing the martyrs- Rafiq, Jabbar, Shafiur and others with the theme ‘Ekush means not bowing down’. The nation will celebrate the day of pride and mourn with different programs. The introduction of the programs has begun with paying tribute to the martyrs at the central Shaheed Minar.    AH