RANGPUR, Feb 21, 2019 (BSS) – The ‘Shaheed Dibash and the International Mother Language Day- 2019′ is being observed here today paying rich tribute to the Language Movement Martyrs with a call for ensuring use of Bengali at all levels.
Thousands of people of all ages are participating in various day-long programmes since the midnight to observe the day with a vow to establish the spirit of the War of Liberation and build a prosperous Bangladesh free from militancy and terrorism.
The observance began at one minute past after midnight with placing wreaths at Central Shaheed Minar in the city by Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa, Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Joynul Bari, Deputy Inspector General for Rangpur Range Police Devdas Bhattacharya and Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Alim Mahmud.
Later, Zila Parishad Chairman Advocate Chhafia Khanom, Deputy Commissioner Enamul Habib and Police Super Mizanur Rahman, President of district Awami League (AL) Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, its General Secretary Advocate Rezaul Karim Raju and other officials placed wreaths there.
Local leaders of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad, AL and its associate bodies, BNP, Jatiya party, JASOD, CPB, BSD, Workers’ party, Ganatantry party and other parties, heads of different government departments, educational institutions, NGOs and professional organisations and common people placed wreaths to pay homage to the language movement martyrs.
Earlier in the morning, thousands of people in bare feet and wearing black badges took part in ‘Probhat Ferries’ singing song ‘Amar Bhayer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February—– Ami Ki Bhulite Pari—-‘ to the Central Shaheed Minar before placing wreaths there.
The divisional, district and police administrations, socio-cultural and professional organisations, political parties, private bodies and institutions chalked out programmes to observe the day in the city.
The programmes included hoisting of the national flag at half-mast atop all government and private buildings and educational institutions, decoration of the city streets with miniature national and coloured-flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets.
The language movement veterans were accorded receptions and special prayers offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of religious worships.
Competitions for children on drawing, essay writing, hand writing, competitions on rendering patriotic songs and sports for underprivileged children were arranged along with screening of documentary films on the language movement.
The local daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, online and others newspapers have published special issues and Rangpur Betar Kendra is airing special programmes narrating significance of the day.
Rangpur City Corporation, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur Medical College and other educational institutions, socio-cultural, political and professional organisations are observing the day through daylong programmes.
The Divisional Commissioner will attend the main discussion to be organised by the district demonstration at 7:30 pm followed by cultural functions on the Central Shaheed Minar premises as the chief guest with the Deputy Commissioner in the chair.