The Shipping Ministry paid deep tribute to the language martyrs. Photo: Collage

DHAKA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) - The Shipping Ministry today paid deep tribute to the language martyrs on the occasion of Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day. 

The day was observed with solemnity, honoring the enduring contribution of the Language Movement to the nation's identity, the dignity of the Bangla language, and the struggle for independence, said an official handout.

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam paid profound homage to the brave martyrs of the Language Movement. In the early hours of Ekushey, he laid a wreath at the martyr's altar at Nashukhali Social Welfare Secondary School mises in his childhood area of Mollahat Upazila in Bagerhat. 

He remembered the sacrifices of the language martyrs and expressed his humble tribute to them.

Bangla, secured through the blood of the martyrs of the great Language Movement, is the foundation of our pride and national identity. Their sacrifice will continue to inspire the nation forever, the minister said.

Meanwhile, senior ministry officials, led by State Minister for Shipping Habibur Rashid, laid wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka and observed a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs.

After the tribute, Habibur Rashid said Bangalee is a proud nation in the world as it had set a unique example of sacrificing lives to establish mother tongue Bangla as a state language. 

He expressed his commitment to advancing the country further along the path of development and progress under the leadership of the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, inspired by the spirit of Amar Ekushey.