The nation has observed Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day on February 21 paying glowing tributes to 1952 language martyrs by placing wreaths at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours of Monday.
The supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day, 70 years back, was remembered as people paid glowing tributes to 1952 language martyrs by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar maintaining health guidelines.
President's Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam and Prime Minister's Military Secretary Major General Naquib Ahmed Chowdhury placed floral wreaths on behalf of President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina respectively at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours.
The song "Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February"- was played on the loudspeaker around the Shaheed Minar area when people from all walks of life were walking bare foot toward the alter to place wreaths.
Later, sergeant-at-arms on behalf of Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, a delegation on behalf of the Awami League presdent Sheikh Hasina, Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Nahid, Shajahan Khan and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram and Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on behalf of Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begun Rowshan Ershad, chiefs of three services, ambassadors, high commissioners, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman and Dhaka University Teachers' Association palced wreaths at the alter of the Central Shaheed Minar.
Different political parties, socio-cultural organisations and mass people paid their homage from midnight to the whole day at the Shaheed Minar.
Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman welcomed all the guests on the Central Shaheed Mianar premises.
Dhaka University teachers, students, officials and employees brought out Provat Feri (Dawn March) led by DU Vice-chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman at 6.30 am from the base of Aparajeya Bangla Sculpture to Azimpur Cemetery.
They placed wreaths at the graves of the language martyrs and recited verses from the Holy Quwran seeking forgiveness for the souls of the language martyrs. Later, they went to the Central Shaheed Minar with the ‘Provat Feri’ and laid wreaths again.
DU also arranged special prayers for the martyrs at all the religious institutions of the campus including DU Central Mosque Masjidul Jamia after the Zohr prayers.
After the sunrise, thousands of people including inmates of 18 residential halls of Dhaka University, various political and non-political organisations, individuals and family visited the Central Shaheed Minar with flower to pay tributes to the language martyrs.
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.
The government took 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 rice tributes to those who embraced martyrdom on the day.
Tight security was enforced around the main altar of the Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and graveyard of the language martyrs at Azimpur.
Bangabandhu's special contribution to the language movement was presented in various programmes on Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day in line with the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
National flags were kept hoisted half-mast in a proper manner having accurate size atop 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, Bangladeshi missions abroad will take proper measures considering the COVID-19 situation to observe the day.
Offering Fateha and Qurankhwani were held at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers will be arranged at all worship places across the country seeking eternal peace of language martyrs.
Key city points and crossings and intersections were decorated with festoons as also with inscription of Bangla letters.