RAJSHAHI, Feb 21, 2024 (BSS) - "Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day-2024" was observed in the city as elsewhere in the country today amid paying rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement of 1952.
 
Various political parties, socio-cultural, professional and volunteer organisations and educational institutions observed the day with a renewed pledge for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh.
 
Since early morning, thousands of people were seen on barefooted with bunches of flowers progressing towards the nearby Shaheed Minars especially those at Rajshahi College and Bhuban Mohan Park to pay their deep respect to the languages movement heroes with singing "Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami ki Bhulite Pari".
 
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and the district and police administration also observed the day with elaborate programmes.
 
The programmes included placing of wreaths at the Shaheed Minar, hoisting of national flags at half-mast in all public and private buildings and mourning procession, discussion and cultural functions.
 
Local dignitaries and high civil and police officials placed wreaths at the altar of the nearby Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours while large number of members of the political, socio-cultural, educational and volunteer organisations followed them.
 
Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Biplob Bijoy Talukder, Deputy Inspector General of Police in Rajshahi Range Anisur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Saifur Rahman and divisional and district level administrative officials placed wreaths at the Court Shaheed Minar.
 
The District Administration organised a discussion meeting, cultural function and prize-giving ceremony with the theme of Ekushey's Spirit in National life at Shilpakala Academy this noon.
 
Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the meeting as the chief guest with Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed in the chair.
 
The day's programmes also include Quran Khwani and discussion at the Imam Training Academy, art competition at Shishu Academy and Shilpakala Academy, serving improved diets to the inmates of hospitals, jails, safe homes and baby homes and screening of documentary films on the Language Movement.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi University (RU), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Rajshahi Medical University, Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) and other educational institutions chalked out elaborate programmes marking the day.
 
The RU administration placed floral wreaths at its central Shaheed Minar paying homage to the language martyrs. Vice-chancellor (VC) Professor Golam Sabbir Sattar, Pro-VCs Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam and Prof Humayun Kabir and Treasurer Prof Obaidur Rahman Pramanik were present, among others, on the occasion.