The nation is observing 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyr's Day and the International Mother Language Day on Friday, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of mother tongue Bangla.
The day is also being observed around the world as UNESCO recognised Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar.
President Shahabuddin arrived at the Shaheed Minar exactly at 11:59pm and placed a wreath as the clock struck 00:01. DU VC and other university officials met and greeted the president.
Chief Adviser Yunus placed a floral wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar shortly after zero hours.
Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan welcomed the Chief Adviser upon his arrival at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Foreign diplomats based in Dhaka also placed wreaths at the monument in the first hour.
Inspector General of Police, Border Guard Bangladesh’s Director General Major General Md Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui also paid profound respect to the language movement heroes at the Shahid Minar at the first hour of February 21.
Moreover, several political, social, cultural and voluntary organisations paid their tribute to the martyrs.
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Walking barefoot to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers singing 'Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February', people from all walks of life are paying their respect to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan of which Bangladesh was a part until its independence in 1971.
Earlier in a message, CA Prof Yunus said “On the occasion of Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day, I pay tribute to people of all languages in the world, including Bangla. Since 2000, Bangladesh and UNESCO have been jointly observing this day in a befitting manner.
"Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development’ as this year’s UNESCO topic is justified,” said Yunus.
He said the interim government established through the July uprising is working consistently to defend the dignity of the nation and its languages, which are essential to growth and prosperity.
“It is also working to ensure that the Bangla language is used in information technology. Textbooks in the mother languages of various ethnic groups, including Braille books, are being distributed free of charge,” he added.
On February 21, 1952, students and common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.
Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and several other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firings on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan.
The day is a public holiday.
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National dailies published special supplements marking the day and Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private radio stations and television channels are supposed to air special programmes on the occasion.
Multi-tier security measures were taken at the Central Shaheed Minar ahead of 21st February.