Photo:BSS

 
RANGPUR, Feb 21, 2025 (BSS) - The Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day was observed today paying rich tribute to language martyrs in a befitting manner amid enormous passion in Rangpur division.

Tens of hundreds of people participated in the daylong programmes chalked out by the district administrations and other organisations marking the day with huge emotion and patriotic zeal in eight districts and all upazilas of the division.
 
The programmes included hoisting of the national flag at half-mast atop all buildings, educational institutions with the sunrise, decoration of city streets with miniature national and coloured-flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets.
 
Besides, competitions on drawing, recitation and essay writing for children were arranged highlighting the significance of the language movement. 
 
Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of religious worship seeking divine blessings for the departed souls of the language movement martyrs and martyrs of all movements in the country.
 
In Rangpur, the observance began at one minute past midnight with placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar amid huge enthusiasm and tight security measures in the metropolis.
 
The Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for Rangpur Range of Bangladesh Police and Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner first placed wreaths paying homage to the Language Movement Martyrs.
 
Later, the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police (SP), leaders of district and city units of BNP and its associate bodies, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Jatiya Party, CPB, BSD and other parties, heads of government departments and professional organisations and common people placed wreaths.
 
After placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar, Divisional Commissioner Md. Shahidul Islam told that February 21 is a memorable day in the history of Bangladesh. 
 
During the Pakistani rule, the people of this country were subjected to oppression and discrimination from all aspects, including social, political, and economic. 
 
On this day in 1952, Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Jabbar, Shafiur and many others gave their blood to protect the dignity of the mother tongue, Bengali. 
 
"Their sacrifice was the beginning of the movement to establish the rights of Bangalees," he said, urging all to embrace the spirit of the language movement and use the Bengali language correctly at all levels.

 The district administration arranged the main discussion on the Central Shaheed Minar premises followed by reception to language movement veterans, distribution of prizes and cultural function.
 
With Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal in the chair, Divisional Commissioner and Rangpur City Corporation administrator Md Shahidul Islam addressed the discussion as the chief guest.
 
Deputy Inspector General for Rangpur Range of Bangladesh Police Aminul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Majid Ali, Superintendent of Police Abu Md Saim and other officials and political leaders spoke as special guests.
 
Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur Medical College, Carmichael College, Begum Rokeya Government College and other educational institutions, sociocultural, political and professional organizations observed the day in a befitting manner.
 
Similar reports of observance of the 'Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day-2025' in a befitting manner have been received here from Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Kurigram districts in the division.