The nation today pays highest tribute to its illustrated sons who sacrificed their lives in 1952 for establishing the right to speak in mother language.
The day is observed every year as the Language Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day at home and abroad.
However, this year the day is being observed maintaining all health guidelines including social distancing and wearing of masks due to Covid-19 pandemic.
In observance of the day in a befitting manner, the Central Shaheed Minar premises in capital Dhaka and Shaheed Minars in all metropolitan cities, district towns, upzila headquarters and unions have been decorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected verses on the mother tongue.
Considering the prevailing Covid-19 situation and following the proper hygiene rules, a maximum of 5 delegates from each organization and a maximum of 2 persons at the individual level are allowed to lay wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Arrangements for washbasins and liquid soap have been made for hand washing purpose at all entrances of the Shaheed Minar. Wearing mask is a must to enter the Shaheed Minar premises.
Besides, the day is also being observed across the globe as the International Mother Language Day after recognition of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The UNESCO recognised the Ekushey February (21st February) as the International Mother Language Day on 17 November 1999. The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh.
The day is very important to all the Bengali-speaking people as well people speaking in other languages across the globe as the spirit of Amar Ekushey has become an inspiration to preserve the mother tongues and cultures of every country and races.
On this day in 1952, students and the common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as the state language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.
Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firings on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language of the then Pakistan.
When the warm sunshine, budding flowers and dancing of birds were giving a fresh and colorful look to the nature, the killing of the valiant sons of the soil sent shock waves throughout the country.
The blazing red and yellow colours of the spring were also faded and dissolved into silence.
But the Bengali people turned the grief of the loss of their greatest sons into strength and promised they would continue to fight to make their country independent.
When Amar Ekushey knocks at the door each year, country’s people especially the young generation observe the day with a fresh vow to work unitedly in order to make the Bengali language worthy and country’s hard-earned independence more meaningful.
The Language Movement was the turning point of the country’s history as it influenced the Bengali people to prepare for the supreme sacrifices and achieve the victory.
And after the 19 years of Language Movement, the country achieved its cherished independence on 16 December 1971 with the supreme sacrifices of three million martyrs and the honour of two lakh women.
The day is being observed across the country in a befitting manner following an elaborate progamme drawn up previously by the government.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s special contribution to the language movement scheduled to be presented throughout the day in various programmes on Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day in line with the birth centenary of Bangabandhu,
National flags are kept half-mast at all the government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations and educational institutions on this day.
In line with the national programmes, all educational institutions, local government bodies, district and upazila administration, Bangladesh missions abroad observe the day.
Offering Fateha and Qurankhwani are scheduled to be held at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers will be arranged at all worship places across the country seeking eternal peace of the language martyrs.
Strict security measures have been taken in and around the Central Shaheed Minar and Dhaka University campus.
Uninterrupted supply of power and water as been ensured at the surroundings of the Central Shaheed Minar and required number of mobile toilets will be set up.
Measures have been taken to keep the streets neat and clean and to spray water on the streets to control dust. Medical camp has been set up in the Shaheed Minar area and a sufficient number of ambulances are kept ready to this end.
Mass Communication Department has arranged mobile musical function on streets through trucks and on waterways at the surrounding areas of Dhaka city through water vessels. Measures have also taken to screen films and documentaries at district and upazila levels.
Besides, 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, Bangladeshi Shishu Academy, Small Ethnic Groups Cultural Institute, three districts in hill tracts, Cox’s Bazar Cultural Centre and other organizations and institutions have arranged seminars, discussions, symposiums, poem recitation, drawing and essay competitions.
Besides, arrangements have been made to visit the National Museum and its affiliated branch museums and all the archeological sites and museums of the Department of Archaeology for children, youth, students, the elderly people and autistic children without tickets.
Ruling Awami League has chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.
To mark the day, a discussion is scheduled to be held at the AL’s Bangabandhu Avenue central office at 4pm on February 22.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the discussion through a videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence.
Party’s General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader urged all leaders and workers of the party, associate and like-minded bodies to observe the day in a befitting manner maintaining health guidelines.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and opposition Jatiya Party have also taken elaborate programmes marking the day.
