Today marks the 71st anniversary of a monumental day embedded in Bangladesh's history.
On February 21, 1952, defying Section 144 of unlawful assembly in an attempt to protest against the imposition of Urdu as the only state language, students assembled at the Dhaka University premises, demanding equal recognition of their language, Bangla.
It's a day that is testament to a lot of our fundamental values as a nation -- of bravery, resilience, and honour, and perhaps most importantly, of standing up for what we believe in.
The defiance was invariably met with conflict, with a number of the protestors being killed at the hands of West Pakistani law enforcement. The countless lives sacrificed for the sake of our mother tongue cemented the movement as an internationally recognized Mother Language Day.
On a day as significant to the design of our nation as Ekushey, it is important that we look back at the very essence of what prompted the movement. It was a fight to speak in the language we call our own, but it was also rooted in our longing for freedom -- freedom that, in many ways, we have achieved over the years.
Bangladesh has come a long way in the seven decades since then, with a plethora of accomplishments to show for our growth. Our economy has made strides that seemed unprecedented for a country of this size and stature. We are on the brink of achieving a middle-income status in the coming years, with goals to become a fully developed nation by 2041.
Economic progress aside, our nation has also demonstrated unparalleled humanity and generosity -- core principles that have helped shape Bangladesh since the beginning -- as we continue to give shelter to over a million displaced Rohingya refugees.
These are the very ideals that have made Bangladesh the country it is today, and only by staying true to these can we achieve further prosperity.
As we commemorate this historic day, we must also reflect on all that remains to be done for the country and all its people. There still exist faults in the system that, much like 71 years ago, deprive certain groups of people of their right to equal opportunities, to safety, and the freedom to express their true selves.
In line with the spirit that the martyrs illustrated in 1952 -- to our country and the world at large -- we must work towards building an equitable nation that allows any and all of its people to speak and live freely and peacefully in a just society.
While we focus on the Smart Bangladesh we're in the process of molding, it is imperative that we continue to prioritize the health, well-being, and quality of education for present and future generations, and embed the sense of unity and devotion that has been a driving force for Bangladeshis everywhere.
The sacrifices of those brave students have not been in vain; we ought to continue to honour them, and the morals that run deep in us, to build the safe, successful, and free Bangladesh that we are proud of.