People to pay homage to language martyrs

The people across the country will observe the Shaheed Dibash (Martyrs Day) and the International Mother Language Day today with due respect.

People from all walks of life will pay glowing tributes to the memories of the language movement martyrs, the valiant sons of the soil who made supreme sacrifice 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 ’21 February (Ekushey February)’ as the International Mother Language Day on 17 November, 1999.

The government has already taken extensive programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.

Our Rajshahi correspondent reports that different government, non-government, volunteer and cultural organisations including the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and the district and the divisional administrations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.

The programmes include placing floral wreaths at Shaheed Minar, hoisting of national flags at half-mast atop all public and private buildings and holding mourning processions.

Marking the day, the city streets will be adorned with miniature national flags and coloured flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets.

The programmes also include recitation from the holy Quran and discussion at the Islamic Foundation office, art and literary competitions for school and college students at the Shishu Academy and screening of documentary films on the Language Movement.

Language veterans will be accorded a reception on the occasion.

Besides, a discussion and cultural function will be organised at the auditorium of Shilpakala Academy, officials said.

The RCC has taken up elaborate programmes to observe the day.

City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton is likely to open the day’s programme by placing wreaths at Bhuban Mohan Park Shaheed Minar in the morning.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi Medical University, Rajshahi Education Board and other public and private educational institutions have drawn up different programmes to observe the day.

In Rangpur, all necessary preparations have been completed to observe the Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day paying rich tribute to the Language Movement Martyrs in the district.