“Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day” was observed in the city and it’s adjacent areas on Friday in befitting manner paying rich tribute to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement of 1952.Various political parties and socio-cultural and volunteer organisations and educational institutions observed the day with a renewed pledge for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh. At the zero hours and since early in the morning, streams of people irrespective of age and sex were seen walking barefoot singing “Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami ki Bhulite Pari” towards the nearby Shaheed Minars especially Rajshahi College and Bhuban Mohan Park to pay their deep respect to the heroes. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and the district and police
administrations observed the day through elaborate programmes.The programmes include placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar, hoisting national flags at half-mast atop all public and private buildings and probhat ferry, discussion meeting, cultural and literary functions. There were miniature national flags and colored flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets throughout the city streets.Multifarious programmes like Quran Khwani and discussion at the Imam Training Academy, art and literary competitions for school and college students at Shishu Academy and Shilpakala Academy, serving improved
diets to the inmates of hospitals, jails, safe homes and baby homes and screening of documentary films on the Language Movement were also
organised in the city.Marking the day, Language veterans were accorded reception at City Bhaban Green Plaza in the evening. City mayor Mosaddique Hossain Bulbul was present at the function as the chief guest.Besides, a discussion and cultural function was organised at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium marking the day, the officials said. Meanwhile, Rajshahi University (RU), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) and other educational institutions observed the day through separate programmes. Law enforcement agencies arranged foolproof security measures for making the day’s programs a total success.The Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day-2014 was observed in the district Friday in a befitting manner. In the observance of the day, the district administration, Awami League and other political parties, socio-cultural organizations and educational institutions chalked out a daylong elaborate programme.The day’s programme began through placing wreaths at the Central Saheed Minar located at Gaibandha Poura Park at 12.01am.The programme included hoisting of national flag at half-mast atop all the government, private, commercial buildings and educational institutions, wearing black badge and bringing out mourning procession in the morning.The programme also included screening documentary film on Amar Ekushey arranged by District Information Office and children’s art, hand writing and essay writing competition organized by Bangladesh Shishu Academy. Besides, special prayers were also offered at mosques, temples and the churches seeking the blessing of Almighty Allah for the salvation of the departed souls of the language heroes. In addition, a discussion meeting organized by district administration on the significance of the day was held at Independence Square of the town in the evening. A three-day book fair is being held at the same venue from February 20.Deputy Commissioner (DC) M. Ehsan-E-Elahi addressed the function as the chief guest and vice principal of Sadullapur Degree College Jahurul Qaiyum was the main discussant while additional deputy commissioner (revenue) Kamal Uddin Biswas presided over the ceremony.The DC, in his speech, said the significance of Ekushey February is immense for enriching our national life and has brought international glory for the country through receiving the recognition of the International Mother Language Day Urging all to maintain the sanctity of the day seriously, he also remembered with due respect the valiant martyrs namely Jabbar, Barkat, Rafique, Shafique and Salam along with other language martyrs who laid down their lives in the Language Movement in 1952.Later, a cultural function was also held on the occasion. The
artistes of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote rendered songs in the function.District level officials, members of the civil society, social workers, political leaders and journalists of the print and electronic media were present on the occasion.Similar programmes were also held at all the six upazila headquarters
and rural areas of the district.The “Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day-2014” was observed though paying rich tributes the Language Movement Martyrs amid huge enthusiasm among the people, especially youngsters, on Friday. The divisional, district and police administrations, socio-cultural and professional organisations, political parties, private bodies, educational institutions and common people observed the day befittingly through elaborate daylong programmes. Observance of the day began at one minute past midnight through placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar by State Minister for Rural Development and Cooperatives Mashiur Rahman Ranga, City Mayor Alhaj Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhantu, Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Dilwar Bakht, Deputy Inspector General of Police Humayun Kabir, Deputy Commissioner Farid Ahammad, Police Super Abdur Razzaque to pay due respects to the Language Movement Martyrs. Later, District Muktijoddha Commander Mosaddek Hossain Bablu, heads of different government departments, NGOs, political leaders, professionals and commoners placed wreaths there. The queue of common people became very long to place wreaths at Central Shaheed Minar to pay homage to Martyrs of the Language Movement as the number of youngsters, students and youths was very high at this time. In the morning, thousands of people of all ages in bare feet brought out a mourning procession singing “Amar Bhayer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulite Pari.” The programmes included hoisting of the National Flag at half-mast atop all government, semi-government, autonomous, private buildings, educational institutions and a weeklong Ekushey Book Fair on the Town Hall premises in the city. Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of religious worships seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the departed souls of the Language Movement Martyrs as well as War of Liberation. The local daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, online and others newspapers published special supplementary issues and Rangpur Betar Kendra aired special programmes narrating importance and significance of the day. Colourful cultural functions and various competitions including painting, essay writing, hand writing, rendering patriotic song and sports for the unprivileged children were organised in observance of the day. The district administration arranged the main discussion at the Central Shaheed Minar at night to highlight importance of the day and pay deep homage to the Language Movement Martyrs with Deputy Commissioner Farid Ahammad in the chair. High government officials, freedom fighters, academicians, political leaders, researchers, educationists, professionals, civil society members, eminent literary and socio-cultural personalities and elite participated in the discussion. The speakers said the fresh blood of the Language Movement Martyrs had sowed the seed of Independence that was achieved through the War of Liberation in 1971 at the cost of three million best sons and daughters of this soil. The victory achieved through shedding blood in 1952 had created a unique history in the global arena, earning recognition of the United Nations which declared February 21 as the International Mother Language Day, they said. -BSS
