The supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day 69 years back is being remembered as people are paying glowing tributes to 1952 language martyrs by placing wreaths at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka at midnight maintaining health guidelines.
Military secretaries to the president and the prime minister placed wreaths on their behalf at the Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours.
The immortal song on Amar Ekushey "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" was playing on the loudspeaker on the occasion.
Later, sergeant-at-arms on behalf of Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on behalf of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, and GM Quader on behalf of leader of the opposition in parliament Begun Rowshan Ershad placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Among other Awami League leaders, presidium members Matia Chowdhury and Faruk Khan and Joint Secretary and information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud also paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs.
Cabinet members, advisers to the prime minister, parliament members, chiefs of three services, diplomats, freedom fighters, and high civil and military officials also placed wreathes on the occasion.
People representing different political and other organizations then thronged the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar to offer their floral tributes maintaining health guidelines.
Later, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman, Dhaka University Teachers' Association, Sector Commanders Forum, war-wounded freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War, different political parties and socio-cultural organizations paid their homage.
Later on, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public when hundreds of people from all walks of life walked barefoot to it with flowers in hands and humming "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.
The day is also being observed around the world as the Unesco recognized the February 21 as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
Extensive programs to observe the day
The government took extensive programs to observe the "Shaheed Dibash" (Language Martyrs' Day) and the International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages paying rich tributes to those who embraced martyrdom on the day.
Tight security was enforced around the main altar of the Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs.
Different political-social-cultural-professional organizations, including the ruling Awami League, also have taken various programs such as seminars and cultural functions, to observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey and International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.
The Cultural Affairs Ministry has drawn up an elaborate program to observe the "Shaheed Dibash" and the International Mother Language Day 2021 with solemn dignity.
Bangabandhu's special contribution to the Language Movement will be presented in various programs on Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day in line with the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
National flags will be kept half-mast in a proper manner having accurate size at all the government, semi-government, autonomous and private organizations and educational institutions.
In line with the national programs, all educational institutions, local government bodies, district and upazila administration, Bangladeshi missions abroad will take proper measures considering the Covid-19 situation to observe the day.
Offering Fateha and Quran khwani will be held at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers will be arranged at all worship places across the country seeking eternal peace of language martyrs.
The Awami League has drawn up elaborate programs to observe the Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.
To mark the day, national and party flags will be kept half-mast and black flags will be hoisted atop at the Awami League's Bangabandhu Avenue central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban and other offices of the party across the country at 6:30am on Sunday.
Other programs include wearing of black badges at 7am and later bringing out Provat Feri from south gate of New Market as a mark of respect to the Language Movement martyrs.
To mark the day, a discussion will be held at the Awami League'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.
Considering the prevailing Covid-19 situation and following the proper hygiene rules, a maximum of five delegates from each organization and a maximum of two persons at the individual level are laying wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Basin and liquid soaps will be provided for hand washing purpose at all entrances of Shaheed Minar.
No one will be allowed to enter the Shaheed Minar premises without wearing a mask.
Key city points and crossings and intersections were decorated with festoons with inscription of Bangla letters.
