United News of Bangladesh

President 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 marking ‘Amar Ekushey’—the International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibosh. 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. Mother Language Day: CA releases commemorative postage stamp 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, said Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Earlier in a message, the Chief Adviser 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.” Dr Yunus 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. DMP issues route guidelines to Central Shaheed Minar on Feb 21 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. 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 will pay 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. 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. DMP Chief calls for traffic police involvement in road accident investigations Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firing 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.

BNP  on Sunday announced a two-day programme to observe the  Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day with due respect on February 21. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press conference after a joint meeting of the party’s different units at its Nayapaltan central office. Ekushey February will be observed simultaneously as Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day on Tuesday in recognition of the Bengali nation’s supreme sacrifice to the cause of their mother tongue. In 1999, UNESCO declared the 21st of February as the International Mother Language Day. As part of the programmes, Fakhrul said their party will hold a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Monday, marking the day. He said they will keep their party and national flags at half-mast and hoist black flags at BNP Nayapaltan central office at 6 am on February 21. Also Read: BNP's movement to continue with all-district march on Feb 25 The leaders and activists of the party will also gather in front of Balaka Cinema Hall at Nilkhet at 6 :15am wearing black badges the same day under the leadership of the Fakhrul. Later, they will first offer fateha at the graves of Language Movement martyrs at Azimpur Graveyard and then go to the Central Shaheed Minar to pay tributes to the martyrs. Besides, BNP’s different units across the country will also observe the day with due respect through various programmes.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday paid rich tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement by placing wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar marking ‘Amar Ekushey’ -- the International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibosh.

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday urged all to get united imbued with the spirit of Amar Ekushey to ‘restore’ democracy in the country.

Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Saturday said necessary security measures have been taken across the country for the smooth and peaceful observance of the Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day on Sunday.

The grateful nation is set to observe the Amar Ekushey -- the Language Martyrs Day (Shaheed Day) and the International Mother Language Day -- on Sunday, marking the supreme of sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the right to speak their mother tongue Bangla.

A group of foreign students at Kolkata’s Jadavpur University, led by Bangladeshi students, observed the International Mother Language Day on the campus on Friday.

BNP on Monday announced a two-day programme to observe the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day with due respect on Friday.