ZCZC
BSS-37
AMAR-EKUSHEY-OBSERVANCE-TWO
Later, the Central Shaheed Minar was opened for the masses when thousands of people from all walks of life walked barefoot to it with flowers in hands and humming “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February” to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.
BNP, Workers Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Samyabadi Dal, Gono Forum, Dhaka city south and north units of AL, Gonotantri Party, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Awami Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League, Chhatra Union, Chhatra Front and Chhatra Federation were among the political parties and student organizations to pay homage to the language martyrs.
Among the cultural, social and professional bodies and institutions, Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Gobeshona Parishad, Kendriyo Khelaghar Asar, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan, Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) and Dhaka University Journalists’ Association paid tributes to the language heroes.
In the morning, ruling Awami League brought out a Provat Feri (morning procession) in the city. At first, the procession joined by AL Joint Secretary and Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud went to Azimpur Graveyard and paid glowing tributes to the language heroes, including Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabber and Shafiur, by placing wreath.
Later, the procession ended at the Central Shaheed Minar following placing another wreath at the altar of the Shaheed Minar.
AL presidium members Advocate Abdul Matin Khasru, Lt. Col. Muhammad Faruk Khan and Abdur Rahman, Organizing Secretary Ahmed Hossain, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Md Abdus Sabur, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan were present on the occasion, among others.
Stringent security measures were enforced in and around the Central Shaheed Minar and Dhaka University campus to avoid any unwanted situation. Key city points and crossings and intersections were decorated with festoons with inscription of Bangla letters.
The day is also being observed around the world as the UNESCO recognised the February 21 as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999. Bangladeshi missions abroad are also observing the day in a befitting manner.
Earlier, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday issued separate messages paying rice tributes to martyrs of the Language Movement.
MORE/BKD/SAH/RY/20:01hrs