The Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day-2015 was observed amid enthusiasm paying rich tribute to the Language Movement martyrs in Rangpur division on Saturday.Tens of thousands of people observed the day with a fresh call for respecting languages of all nations, tribal people and ethnic groups throughout the globe and renewed vows for building a Razakar-free Bangladesh by completing trial of the war criminals.The observance began at one minute past midnight through placing floral wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minars at all districts and Upazila headquarters, educational institutions and other important places to pay respect to the Language Movement martyrs.In the morning,people of all ages, classes, irrespective of their caste, creed and religion in bare footed led mourning processions singing ‘Amar Bhayer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulite Pari’ to the Shaheed Minars.The programmes included hoisting the National Flag at half- mast a top of all government, semi-government, private and commercial buildings as well as educational institutions.The local newspapers published special supplementary issues remembering the day.Discussions on the impotence of the day, cultural functions, various competitions including painting, essay writing, hand writing, rendering patriotic song and sports for the unprivileged children were organised.Special prayers were held at the Mosques, Mandirs, Girjas, Pagodas and other places of religious worship seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the departed souls of the Language Movement martyrs.Awami League (AL), other political parties, socio cultural and educational institutions, observed the day commemorating the supreme sacrifice of those valiant sons of the soil, who shed their fresh bloods on the day in 1952 to establish the mother tongue.In Rangpur, the observance began at one minute past midnight through placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar by Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Dilwar Bakht, Deputy Inspector General of Police Humayun Kabir, Deputy Commissioner Farid Ahammad, Police Super Abdur Razzaque and City Panel Mayor Abul Kashem to pay due respects to the Language Movement Martyrs.Acting President of district AL Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, its General Secretary Advocate Rezaul Karim Raju, City AL President Shafiar Rahman Shafi, its General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mandal and District Commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad Mosaddek Hossain Bablu placed wreaths.Leaders of the front organisations of AL, other political parties, heads of government departments and organisations, journalists, NGOs, professionals, Rangpur Chamber also placed wreaths there.The Divisional Commissioner attended and addressed the main discussion organised by the district administration at Central Shaheed Minar last night as the chief guest with the Deputy Commissioner in the chair.High government officials, political leaders, academicians, Language Movement veterans, freedom fighters, researchers, socio-cultural and professional activists, public representatives, civil society members and local elites addressed the discussion.Terming the Shaheed Minar as a symbol of heroism the speakers said fresh blood of the Language Movement martyrs sowed seed for Independence that was achieved through the War of Liberation at the cost of our three million bright sons and daughters lives.Reports reaching here from different places, the Day was simultaneously observed in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Gaibandha, Dinajpur and Nilphamari districts through day-long similar programmes. -BSS, Rangpur
