The nation on Thursday observed Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner, paying rich tribute to the language martyrs.
On this day, the nation recalls the supreme sacrifice of our language heroes, who laid down their lives for their mother tongue, self-identity, culture, and heritage in 1952.
Walking barefoot to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka and across the country, with wreaths and flowers, people from all strata of life paid homage to the martyred language heroes.
As in previous years, the day was cherished by the nation and children were seen coming with flowers to pay respect to the language heroes.
Nure Rahman, a father who brought his daughter to the Shaheed Minar said, every year he brings his children to make them aware of this significant day in history.
As the clock struck one minute-past the zero hour, President Abdul Hamid, followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar.
They stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of supreme sacrifice made by our language heroes.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the chiefs of three services, Dhaka city mayors, Police and RAB chiefs, the ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, and the heads of international organizations, placed wreaths at Shaheed Minar.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Akhtaruzzaman,the Dhaka University Teacher’s Association (DUTA), and members of Dhaka University Journalists’ Association, also paid homage to the language movement martyrs.
Apart from them, different political parties, student bodies, and socio-political organizations, also placed wreaths at Shaheed Minar to pay tribute to the language heroes.
Foreigners at Shaheed Minar
As the day has international reach, like previous years, foreign citizens thronged the Central Shaheed Minar and paid their tribute to the language martyrs.
Lana Christopher from USA came with her family members to the Shaheed Minar and said that before coming here she did not know about the day, but now she knew.
“It is a really great way to remember as well as show respect to the language martyrs,” she added.
Mahbub Ul Alam, associate professor of University of North Bengal of India, said he came to Bangladesh only to pay his tribute to language heroes.
“Every language of the world is important and our mother language Bangla should be properly dignified,” he added.
An Indian journalist couple, Kastari Hazra and Razib Hazra, also arrived at the Shaheed Minar to show their respects.
Words to all
Renowned artist Shahabuddin Ahmed said, it is a very sad and painful day for the nation, while also being a proud day for Bangalis.
“The mark of a Bangali is to use the Bangla language in its proper form,” he said.
“But in our country, many media personalities distort Bangla in a way to appeal to the younger generation, which has detrimental effects on our language,” he added.
“It is high time we make the next generation conscious about our mother tongue along with other languages,” he added.
