Amar Ekushey today

The nation is set to observe the “Shaheed Dibash” (Martyrs Day) and the International Mother Language Day today with due respect maintaining health guidelines.

People from all walks of life will pay glowing tributes to the memories of language movement martyrs, the valiant sons of the soil who made supreme sacrifices to establish the rights of the mother tongue, Bangla, in 1952.

The day will also be observed around the world as the UNESCO recognised the “February 21 (Ekushey February)” as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.

The government has already taken 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 rich tributes to those who embraced martyrdom on the day.

The day is a public holiday.

In observance of the day, the Central Shaheed Minar premises is being decorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected verses on the mother language.

Tight security measures have been enforced around the main altar of the Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs.

Generally the president and the prime minister lead the nation to pay homage to the Language Movement heroes by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours.

But due to Covid-19 pandemic, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not be at the Central Shaheed Minar to pay homage, instead of, their military secretaries will place wreaths on their behalf at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours.

Different political-social-cultural-professional organizations, including the ruling Awami League, have taken various programmes such as seminars and cultural functions, to observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey and the 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-2022 with solemn dignity.

The programme was finalized following an inter-ministerial meeting held on January 16 last with State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid in the chair.

As per the programme, on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his special contribution to the language movement will be projected in various programmes on the Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language Day.

The national flags will be kept at half-mast in a proper manner having accurate size at all the buildings of 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, Bangladesh missions abroad will take proper measures to observe the day, maintaining health guidelines considering the Covid-19 situation.

Fateha and Qurankhwani will be offered at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers will be arranged at all worship places across the country seeking eternal peace of the language martyrs.

Consulting with concerned people, Cultural Affairs Ministry and Dhaka University authorities will finalise programmes to be held at the Central Shaheed Minar on the day.

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 can lay wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

Basins and liquid soaps will be kept at all the entrances of the Shaheed Minar for washing hands. No one will be allowed to enter the Shaheed Minar premises without wearing a mask.

Proper measures will be taken to strengthen the security system in and around all the venues, including the Central Shaheed Minar, and Dhaka University campus adjoining areas.