RAJSHAHI, Feb 22, 2018 (BSS) – “Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day- 2018” was observed in the city as elsewhere in the country yesterday with due respect and in a befitting manner, paying rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement of 1952.
Various political parties and socio-cultural and volunteer organisations and educational institutions observed the day with a renewed pledge for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh.
Since early in the morning, thousands of people irrespective of age and sex were seen walking barefooted with bunches of flowers in hand towards the nearby Shaheed Minars especially those at Rajshahi College and Bhuban Mohan Park to pay their deep respect to the languages movement heroes and singing “Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami ki Bhulite Pari” during the time.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and the district and police administrations also observed the day, taking elaborate programmes.
The programmes include placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar, hoisting national flags at half-mast atop all public and private buildings and mourning procession (probhat ferry), discussion, cultural and literary functions.
The city streets were decorated with miniature national flags and colored flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets.
At zero hours, Awami League Joint Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Organizing Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Women Affairs Secretary Fazilatunnesha Indira, City unit president AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and its General Secretary Dablu Sarker placed wreaths at the altar of Rajshahi College Shaheed Minar.
Fazley Hossain Badsha, MP, and city Mayor Musaddique Hossain Bulbul placed wreaths at Bhuban Mohan Park.
Divisional Commissioner Nur-Ur-Rahman, DIG of Rajshahi Police Khurshid Hussain, RMP Commissioner Mahbubor Rahman, Zila Parishad Chairman Muhammad Ali Sarker and Deputy Commissioner Helal Mahmud Sharif placed wreaths at Court Shaheed Minar.
The day’s programmes also include Quran Khwani and discussion at the Imam Training Academy, art and literary competitions for school and college students 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.
Marking the day, Language veterans were accorded a reception at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium.
Besides, a discussion and cultural function was organised at the same venue to mark the day, the officials concerned said.
Meanwhile, Rajshahi University (RU), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) and other educational institutions observed the day through elaborate programmes.
Law enforcement agencies have adopted foolproof security measures facilitating a smooth observance of the day’s programmes.