The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The nation observes historic Amar Eksuhey-Shaheed Dibash (Martyrs Day)-and International Mother Language Day today.

The people the country will pay glowing tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement across the country today, recalling the supreme sacrifice of the great sons of the soil who shed their blood in this day (February 21) in 1952 to establish mother tongue-Bangla-as the state language of the then Pakistan.

A number of students of people, including Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and Shafiq, laid down their lives and protect the dignity of mother tongue and forced the then central government to recognise Bangla as a state language of Pakistan, when this land was a province of Pakistan under the name of East Pakistan.

The sacrifice of the martyrs of Ekushey February in 1952 sowed the seeds of Liberation War (1971) and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign country of the world on December 16 in 1971.

Bangla-speaking people, including expatriate Bangladeshis, living across the world will also pay homage to the martyrs of Amar Ekushey, while most countries of the world will observe the day as the International Mother Language Day, declared on November 17 in 1999 by the United Nations (UN) in recognition of Bangladeshis struggles and sacrifice for their mother tongue.

During observance of the the Shaheed Day and the International Mother Language Day, people take long treks towards shaheed minars (language martyrs memorial) in their respective localities in bare-foot processions, while singing "Amar bahiyer rakte rangano Ekushey February amee kee bhuleta paree," all the day long at home and abroad to pay respect to the martyrs with a spirit not dulled anyway ever since the Bangalis made history of the universal importance.

The historic song-Amar bahiyer rakte rangano Ekushey February amee kee bhuleta paree-written in memories of the martyrs of the Language Movement electrifies the Bangla speaking people throughout the world.

On November 17, 1999, UNESCO declared it an international event in recognition of the 1952 movement. Now, February 21 is observed as the International Mother Language Day in 188 countries across the globe.

To observe the day expatriate Bangladeshis living across the globe have constructed permanent and makeshift Shaheed Minars in major cities of the world. According to a news dispatch of ANA from New York as many as nine Shaheed Minars were erected in major cities of the USA this year. Similar minars were also constructed in many world cities, including London, Paris and Tokyo.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed issued separate messages paying their rich tributes to the martyred national heroes.

In his message, President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed said the spirit of 'Ekushey' would consolidate the nation's democratic advancement along with overall economic development and progress.

He hoped that imbued with the Ekushey spirit every citizen would contribute to the development process from their respective fields in order to build a prosperous Bangladesh.

"The great Language Movement is the prime source of awakening the sense of nationalism among the people of Bangladesh," he said.

Professor Ahmed said the glaring spirit of the Language Movement arouses the people to stand against all injustices and unfairness and helps attain overall progress of the country.

"The fortitude of the Language Movement is now inspiring not only the advancement of our own language, literature, culture and heritage but also for the preservation and promotion of languages and cultures of other nations around the world."

He hoped that the observance of the International Mother Language Day would strengthen the bridge of unity and amity among the peoples of the world.

In his message, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed called upon all citizens of this great nation irrespective of religion, class or political party affiliations to forge a national unity to unleash the infinite potential of the land, improve the lot of people and establish a democratic state.

"Let us pledge ourselves to the grand effort of building a prosperous and enlightened Bangladesh," he said.

He recalled that many valiant sons of the soil sacrificed their lives during the heroic struggle to establish Bangla as a state language.

"We achieved an independent and sovereign motherland by following its glorious path," he said.

He recalled their extraordinary contributions with gratitude and paid deep respects to their unfading memory.

Dr Fakhruddin said, "Immoral Ekushey is our greatest achievement as a nation. It is the symbol of our national ethos and unity."

The Chief Adviser also called upon all to make the independence of the country meaningful by drawing on the spirit of Ekushey.

"We shall have to work hard for the flourishing of our language, literature, culture and education."

The President and the Chief Adviser paid deep homage to the language martyrs who made their supreme sacrifice this day in 1952 to achieve the right to mother tongue.

Top leaders of different political parties, including Acting President of Awami League Zillur Rahman, BNP Acting President M Saifur Rahman, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, Bikalpa Dhara Chief Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday in separate statements paid glowing tributes to the language martyrs.

Meanwhile, the Central Shaheed Minar has been prepared for the occasion, with a security bulwark built around, as the President and the Chief Adviser would lead the nation in homage paying by placing wreaths at its altar at the zero hours last night.

The Government has taken a 'foolproof' security arrangement in and around the Central Shaheed Minar. As many as 6,000 security personnel, including members of elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), were deployed from 8:00 pm last night in the area and Azimpur while 32 close circuit cameras (CCTV) were installed to keep round the clock vigil to avert untoward incidents during the day-long commemoration, beginning from 12:00pm yesterday.

Besides, members of the Armed Forces were also deployed to ensure security of the VVIPs, including the President and the Chief Adviser. Diplomats will also pay homage to the martyrs by placing floral wreaths at the alter of the Central Shaheed Minar today.

Hundreds of thousands bear foot people started converging the around the Shaheed Minar last night when this report was filed.

The day is a public holiday and the national flag will fly at half-mast atop government, autonomous and private buildings.

The month-long book fair on the Bangla Academy premises has been going on since February 1.

Bangladesh UNESCO National Commission in cooperation with UNESCO Dhaka Office Wednesday brought out a rally from Plasey-Nilkhet area and ended at the Shaheed Minar on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.

Diplomats also participated in the rally.

Foreign Ministry will hold a discussion at its auditorium on the day with Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury in the Chair.

Other socio-cultural organisations and political parties have chalked out separate programmes to observe the day.

The National Press Club today organised a poetry-recitation programme and cultural soiree on the occasion of Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day.

President of the National Club Shawkat Mahmud inaugurated the programme. NPC general secretary Kamal Uddin Sabuj delivered address of welcome.