Saturday, 22 February, 2025
The nation is observing 'Shaheed Dibash' (Martyrs' Day) today, paying heartfelt tributes to the language martyrs and marking International Mother Language Day.
On this day in 1952, Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar, and Barkat became martyrs, gunned down by police in front of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) while protesting for the recognition of Bangla as the state language of Pakistan. Their sacrifice ignited the flames of future movements that ultimately led to the country's independence.
The five were killed when police opened fire on students protesting under the banner of the All-Party Students Action Committee, rallying against the Pakistani rulers' attempts to make "Urdu" the sole state language.
Despite the tragedy, the fight for Bangla continued, and on February 29, 1956, the Pakistani government was forced to recognize Bangla as one of the state languages alongside Urdu.
This victory, however, did not quell the struggle against the repression and misrule of the Pakistani regime, a movement that culminated in the War of Independence and the birth of Bangladesh.
People from all walks of life will honour the memory of the brave martyrs of the 1952 language movement, who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure the recognition of Bangla as the state language.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement, marking the Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day.
He paid homage by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at one minute past midnight tonight.
The Chief Adviser arrived on the Shaheed Minar premises a few minutes before the clock struck midnight. He proceeded to the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar at a slow pace while playing the historic immortal song on the Amar Ekushey "Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February . . . Ami Ki Vulitey Pari?"
The Chief Adviser stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the Language Heroes. Advisers to the interim government, chiefs of the three services, freedom fighters, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
Earlier, in a message, the Chief adviser said the Bengali nation, which had endured centuries of enslavement and domination, achieved its first victory in its struggle for independence on February 21, 1952. The language movement holds special significance in the history of the Bengali nation's liberation movement, he added.
Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public when hundreds of people from all walks of life walked barefoot with flowers in their hands and humming "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.
This day has been commemorated globally since UNESCO declared February 21 (Ekushey February) as International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
The theme for this year's UNESCO observance, "Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development," is both timely and significant.
The day's programmes include: paying respect to language martyrs by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar beside Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and other local Shaheed Minars across the country at one minute past zero hour, holding discussions highlighting the significance of February 21, wearing black badge, keeping national flag half mast, hoisting black flag atop the buildings, paying tributes to the martyr's graves in City's Azimpur and bringing out 'Provat Feri'.
The day is a public holiday.
In observance of the day, the Central Shaheed Minar premises are decorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected verses on the mother language.
Tight security measures have been enforced around the Central Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and the Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs.
Different political, social, cultural, and professional bodies have taken various programmes including cultural functions to observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey in a befitting manner.
The national flags will be appropriately kept at half-mast having accurate size at all the buildings of government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations and educational institutions.
All educational institutions, local government bodies, district and upazila administrations, and Bangladesh missions abroad will take proper measures to observe the day.
Fateha and Qurankhwani will be offered at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers will be arranged at mosques and all other places of prayer across the country seeking eternal peace of the souls of the language martyrs.
On the occasion, road islands and other important places in the capital will be decorated with festoons inscribed with letters of different languages including Bangla.
Public and private media will air special programmes while newspapers will publish special supplements marking the day.
Bangladesh missions abroad will organize different programmes, including placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar, discussions on Bangabandhu and Language Movement, and book and photo exhibitions where diplomats of different countries and Bangladeshi expatriates will join.
Marking the day, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kabi Nazrul Institute, National Book Centre, Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh National Museum, Department of Archaeology, Department of Public Libraries, International Mother Language Institute, Department of Archives and Library, Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Small Ethnic Groups Cultural Institute, three districts in hill tracts, Tribal Cultural Academy in Birishiri of Netrokona, Rajshahi Divisional Ethnic Minority Cultural Academy (RDEMCA), Manipuri Lalitkala Academy, Cox's Bazar Cultural Centre and other organizations and institutions will organize various events.
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The nation is observing 'Shaheed Dibash' (Martyrs' Day) today, paying heartfelt tributes to the language martyrs and marking International Mother Language Day.
On this day in 1952, Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar, and Barkat became martyrs, gunned down by police in front of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) while protesting for the recognition of Bangla as the state language of Pakistan. Their sacrifice ignited the flames of future movements that ultimately led to the country's independence.
The five were killed when police opened fire on students protesting under the banner of the All-Party Students Action Committee, rallying against the Pakistani rulers' attempts to make "Urdu" the sole state language.
Despite the tragedy, the fight for Bangla continued, and on February 29, 1956, the Pakistani government was forced to recognize Bangla as one of the state languages alongside Urdu.
This victory, however, did not quell the struggle against the repression and misrule of the Pakistani regime, a movement that culminated in the War of Independence and the birth of Bangladesh.
People from all walks of life will honour the memory of the brave martyrs of the 1952 language movement, who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure the recognition of Bangla as the state language.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement, marking the Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day.
He paid homage by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at one minute past midnight tonight.
The Chief Adviser arrived on the Shaheed Minar premises a few minutes before the clock struck midnight. He proceeded to the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar at a slow pace while playing the historic immortal song on the Amar Ekushey "Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February . . . Ami Ki Vulitey Pari?"
The Chief Adviser stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the Language Heroes. Advisers to the interim government, chiefs of the three services, freedom fighters, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
Earlier, in a message, the Chief adviser said the Bengali nation, which had endured centuries of enslavement and domination, achieved its first victory in its struggle for independence on February 21, 1952. The language movement holds special significance in the history of the Bengali nation's liberation movement, he added.
Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public when hundreds of people from all walks of life walked barefoot with flowers in their hands and humming "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.
This day has been commemorated globally since UNESCO declared February 21 (Ekushey February) as International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
The theme for this year's UNESCO observance, "Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development," is both timely and significant.
The day's programmes include: paying respect to language martyrs by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar beside Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and other local Shaheed Minars across the country at one minute past zero hour, holding discussions highlighting the significance of February 21, wearing black badge, keeping national flag half mast, hoisting black flag atop the buildings, paying tributes to the martyr's graves in City's Azimpur and bringing out 'Provat Feri'.
The day is a public holiday.
In observance of the day, the Central Shaheed Minar premises are decorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected verses on the mother language.
Tight security measures have been enforced around the Central Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and the Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs.
Different political, social, cultural, and professional bodies have taken various programmes including cultural functions to observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey in a befitting manner.
The national flags will be appropriately kept at half-mast having accurate size at all the buildings of government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations and educational institutions.
All educational institutions, local government bodies, district and upazila administrations, and Bangladesh missions abroad will take proper measures to observe the day.
Fateha and Qurankhwani will be offered at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers will be arranged at mosques and all other places of prayer across the country seeking eternal peace of the souls of the language martyrs.
On the occasion, road islands and other important places in the capital will be decorated with festoons inscribed with letters of different languages including Bangla.
Public and private media will air special programmes while newspapers will publish special supplements marking the day.
Bangladesh missions abroad will organize different programmes, including placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar, discussions on Bangabandhu and Language Movement, and book and photo exhibitions where diplomats of different countries and Bangladeshi expatriates will join.
Marking the day, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kabi Nazrul Institute, National Book Centre, Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh National Museum, Department of Archaeology, Department of Public Libraries, International Mother Language Institute, Department of Archives and Library, Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Small Ethnic Groups Cultural Institute, three districts in hill tracts, Tribal Cultural Academy in Birishiri of Netrokona, Rajshahi Divisional Ethnic Minority Cultural Academy (RDEMCA), Manipuri Lalitkala Academy, Cox's Bazar Cultural Centre and other organizations and institutions will organize various events.
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