DHAKA, Feb 23, 2023 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observed the great Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day on Tuesday by paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. 
 
The embassy arranged an elaborate program to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes, who laid down their lives in Dhaka 71 years ago to establish Bangla as the state language, said a press release received here today. 

In the morning, the ambassador hoisted the national flag at half-mast in front of the Chancery in the presence of the embassy officials and employees.

 A 'Prabhat Pheri' was arranged to commemorate the day. 

In his remarks, Ambassador Muhammad Imran termed the spirit of great Language Movement as like a lighthouse for Bengali nation and said that Bangladesh is now advancing fast to become a developed and prosperous country as dreamt by Bangabandhu under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by holding that spirit, the release said.
 
He called upon the Bangladesh diaspora in the USA to contribute unitedly towards development of Bangladesh and encourage the new generations to know more about the rich Bangla language, culture and heritage.
 
The artists from Bangladesh, India, Paraguay, Ghana, and Nepal and a cultural group comprised of East European countries performed captivating the audience with their own songs and dances at the packed Bangabandhu Auditorium.
 
Ambassadors and diplomats from various countries, senior officials of the US State Department and the government, political leaders, journalists, representatives of social and cultural bodies and members of Bangladeshi diaspora attended the event, the release added.
 
Counselor (Political-I) Md Moniruzzaman and First Secretary (Passport & Visa Wing) Md Abdul Hye Milton conducted the two parts of the daylong program.