People are set to pay homage to language martyrs today (Wednesday) coinciding with the Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day. Different government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, socio-cultural organisations, political parties and educational institutions have completed all preparations to observe the day with due respect in the city and district.
Officials said the district and upazila administrations and other organisations have already completed preparations for observing the International Mother Language Day.
In Khulna city, the day’s programme will begin at one minute past zero hour on February 21 when Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda, will place wreath at the Shaheed Minar in City's Shaheed Hadis Park to pay due respect to the Language Martyrs.
Later, Mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Helal Mahmud Sharif, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner (KMP) Mozammel Haque, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police of Khulna Range Moinul Haque will place wreaths there. Deputy Commissioner Khondokar Yasir Arefin along with officials of the district and upazila administrations will also place wreaths followed by other government and non-government departments and organizations.
The other programmes of the day include hoisting of national flag at half-mast atop all buildings, educational institutions, decoration of the streets with miniature national and coloured flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets.
Special doa for peace and welfare of the people will be offered at all mosques after Zohor prayer while temples and churches will arrange special prayers on the day.
A discussion on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and language movement will be held at Divisional Public Library in Khulna.
Competitions on drawing, essay writing, rendering patriotic songs for the children and prize giving ceremony for the school students will be held at Shaheed Hadis Park.
Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and its front organisations and other political parties, socio-cultural and professional organisations and common people will also pay homage to the language movement martyrs by placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Khulna University (KU), Khulna Water and Sewerage Authority (KWASA), Khulna Press Club, Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ), Swadhinata Sangbadik Forum will also place wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Candle lighting programme will be arranged at the Mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Khulna.
BSS from Khulna adds: Different government, non-government, volunteer and cultural organizations including the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and the district and the divisional administrations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day tomorrow with due respect
The nation is set to observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' (Martyrs Day) and the International Mother Language Day tomorrow with due respect
The programmes include placing floral wreaths at Shaheed Minar, hoisting national flags at half-mast atop all public and private buildings and holding mourning processions.
Marking the day, the city streets will be adorned with miniature national flags and coloured flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets. The programmes also include recitation from the holy Quran and discussion at the Islamic Foundation office, art and literary competitions for school and college students at the Shishu Academy and screening of documentary films on the Language Movement.
Language veterans will be accorded a reception on the occasion.Besides, a discussion and cultural function will be organised at the auditorium of Shilpakala Academy, officials said.
The RCC has taken up elaborate programmes to observe the day. City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton is likely to open the day's programme by placing wreaths at Bhuban Mohan Park Shaheed Minar in the morning.
Meanwhile, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi Medical University, Rajshahi Education Board and other public and private educational institutions have drawn up different programmes to observe the day.