CHATTOGRAM, Feb 21, 2024 (BSS) - The Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day-2024 was observed in the city as elsewhere in the district with due respect to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement.
 
All government and socio-cultural organizations, political parties, professional bodies, volunteer organisations and educational institutions observed the day with a renewed pledge for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal country.
 
Thousands of people were seen walking barefooted with flowers since early morning, progressing towards the temporary Shaheed Minar especially those at Municipal Model High School to pay their deep respect to the languages movement heroes, singing "Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami ki Bhulite Pari".
 
District administration took elaborate programmes to observe the day. The programmes included placing of wreaths at Shaheed Minar, hoisting of national flags at half-mast atop of all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings including educational institutions, discussion meeting, Quran Khawani, milad mahfil and special prayer seeking divine blessings for language martyrs under the joint auspices with Islamic Foundation, essay and painting competition for the school children and screening of the documentary film.
 
The day was a national holiday.
 
Leaders of different political parties and professional organisations and people from all walks of life paid respect at Shahid Minar placing wreaths one after another with due honour.
 
The day’s programme formally started at one minute past midnight last night with placing of floral wreaths at the altar of temporarily Shaheed Minar at Municipal Model High School by City mayor Reazaul Karim Chowdhury.
 
Among others, Councillors of all 41 wards on behalf of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) placed wreath on behalf of CCC.
 
Meanwhile,  senior Vice President of city AL Khurshed Alam Sujan, former mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, leaders of different units placed wreaths on behalf of City AL.
 
Chattogram South district AL President Motaherul Islam Chowdhury, MP, along with its leaders of different units of placed wreaths on behalf of south district AL.
 
They stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes.
 
On the other hand, Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram Md Tofail Islam, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chattogram range Nur-e-Alam Mina, Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police Krisno Pada Roy, Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Abul Basar Mohammad Fakuruzzaman, Chairman of Chattogram Development Authority Jahirul Alam Dobas, District Police Superintendent SM Shofiullah, Mohanagar Muktijuddah Commander Mozzafar Ahmed and acting district Muktizuddah Commander AKM Sarwar Kamal paid their homage by placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
 
Besides, different political parties including Chattogram City AL, North and South AL district units, Chhatra League, Jubo League, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Chattogram Press Club, Chattogram Union of Journalists (CUJ) and Chattogram TV Journalist Associations, Muktijoddha Command Council, Chattogram District Bar Association placed flower wreaths at the altar of the temporarily build Shaheed Minar.
 
A smart contingent of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) presented guard of honour at Shaheed Minar at one minute past midnight last tonight.
 
In the morning, students from different educational institutions and socio-cultural organisations carrying different colourful banners, festoons and placards placed floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
 
Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Chattogram University (CU) and VC of Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) paid tributes to the language martyrs by placing wreaths at CU and CUET Shaheed Minars respectively.

Special prayers were offered at all mosques, temples, churches and other places of worships across the district seeking divine blessings for peace and salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs.