CHATTOGRAM, Feb 21, 2023 (BSS) - Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day-2023 was observed in the city as elsewhere in the district with due respect to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement and solemnity.

To mark the day, all government organisations, socio-cultural, political parties, professional bodies, volunteer organisations and educational institutions observed the day with a renewed pledge for building a happy, prosperous nation.

District administration took elaborate programmes to observe the day. The programmes included placing of wreaths at Shaheed Minar, hoisting of national flags at half-mast atop of all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings, including educational institutions.

Discussion meetings, quran Khawani, milad mahfil and special prayers were held seeking divine blessings of language martyrs.

The day is a public holiday.

The day’s programme started at one minute past midnight with placing of floral wreaths at the altar of temporarily Shaheed Minar at Municipal Model High School by City mayor Reazaul Karim Chowdhury.

Among others, Councillors of all 41 wards on behalf of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) placed wreathes on behelf of CCC.

Meanwhile,  acting President of city AL Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury, former mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, and leaders of different units placed wreaths on behalf of City AL.

They stood in solemn silence for sometime as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes.

On the other hand, Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram Dr Aminur Rahman, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chattogram range Anwar Hossain, Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police Krisno Pada Roy, Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Abul Basar Mohammad Fakuruzzaman, Chairman of Chattogram Development Authority Jahirul Alam Dobas, District Police Superintendent SM Shofiullah, Mohanagar Muktijuddah Commander Mozzafar Ahmed and acting district Muktizuddah Commander AKM Sarwar Kamal paid their homage by placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

Besides, different political parties, including Chattogram city AL, North and South AL district units, Chhatra League, Jubo League, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Chattogram Press Club, Chattogram Union of Journalists (CUJ) and Chattogram TV Journalist Associations, Muktijoddha Command Council, Chattogram District Bar Association placed flower wreaths at the altar of the temporarily build Shaheed Minar.

A smart contingent of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP)  paid guard of honour at the alter of Shaheed Minar at one minute past midnight last tonight.

In the morning, students from different educational institutions and socio-cultural organisations carrying different colourful banners, festoons and placards placed floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Chattogram University (CU) Professor Dr Shirin Akter and VC of Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Prof Dr Rafiqul Islam paid tributes to the language martyrs by placing wreaths at CU and CUET Shaheed Minars respectively.

Special prayers were offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worships across the district seeking divine blessings for peace and salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs.