DHAKA, Feb 16, 2022 (BSS) - The Cultural Affairs Ministry has drawn up an elaborate programme to observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' (Language Martyrs Day) and the International Mother Language Day-2022 to be held on February 21 in a befitting manner.

  The programme was finalized following an inter-ministerial meeting held on January 16 last with State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid in the chair, according to a ministry press release issued here today.

  As per the programme, on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his special contribution to the language movement will be projected in various programmes on Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day. 

  The national flags will be kept at half-mast in a proper manner having accurate size at all the buildings of government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations and educational institutions.

  In line with the national programmes, all educational institutions, local government bodies, district and upazila administration, Bangladesh missions abroad will take proper measures to observe the day, maintaining health guidelines considering the COVID-19 situation.

  Offering Fateha and Qurankhwani will be held at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers will be arranged at all worship places across the country seeking eternal peace of language martyrs.

  Consulting with concerned people, Cultural Affairs Ministry and Dhaka University authorities will finalise programmes to be held at the Central Shaheed Minar on the day.

  Considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation and following the proper hygiene rules, a maximum of 5 delegates from each organization and a maximum of 2 persons at the individual level can lay wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

  Basins and liquid soaps will be kept at all the entrances of the Shaheed Minar for washing hands. No one will be allowed to enter the Shaheed Minar premises without wearing a mask.

  Proper measures will be taken to strengthen the security system in and around all the venues, including the Central Shaheed Minar, and Dhaka University campus adjoining areas.

  On the occasion, road islands and other important suitable places in the capital city will be decorated with festoons inscribed with letters of different languages including Bangla.

  Public and private mass media will take necessary measures to carry out awareness programmes on pronouncing names of language martyrs properly, protecting significance of the Shaheed Dibash, upholding the dignity of Shaheed Minar and placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar in a disciplined manner.

  Marking the day, the newspapers will publish special supplements, especially highlighting the role of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Language Movement.

  Uninterrupted power and water supply will be ensured around the Central Shaheed Minar and its adjoining areas while required numbers of mobile toilets will be set up in the areas.

  Streets will be kept neat and clean and water will be sprayed on streets to control dust. In order to ensure emergency medical services, medical camps will be set up in the Shaheed Minar areas and a sufficient number of ambulances will be kept ready to this end.

  The Dhaka WASA will ensure supply of fresh water in the surrounding areas of the Shaheed Minar. Fire Service team will be kept ready with all necessary tools and equipment. 

  Pragmatic steps will be taken to ensure that everyone, including the head of the state and the head of the government, can pay homage to the martyrs physically at the Shaheed Minar, maintaining the tradition.

  Bangladesh missions abroad will organize different programmes, including playing wreaths at Shaheed Minar, discussions on Bangabandhu and Language Movement, and book and photo exhibitions where diplomats of different countries and Bangladeshi expatriates will join. 

  Besides, messages of the President, the Prime Minister, foreign minister, state minister for foreign affairs and state minister for cultural affairs also will be read out at the missions.

  Mass Communication Department will stage mobile musical function on streets through trucks and on waterways at Dhaka city's surrounding areas through water vessels and films and documentaries will be screened at district and upazila levels. 

  Department of Films and Publications will publish three types of posters- one for all, another for the children of schools and colleges and the last for the Bangladesh missions abroad and the foreign embassies in Dhaka. 

  Marking the day, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kabi Nazrul Institute, National Book Centre, Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh National Museum, Department of Archaeology, Department of Public Libraries, International Mother Language Institute, Department of Archives and Library, Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Small Ethnic Groups Cultural Institute, three districts in hill tracts, Tribal Cultural Academy in Birishiri of Netrokona, Rajshahi Divisional Ethnic Minority Cultural Academy (RDEMCA), Manipuri Lalitkala Academy, Cox's Bazar Cultural Centre and other organizations and institutions will organize book fairs, discussions, seminars, symposiums, poem recitation, drawing and hand writing competitions and screen documentaries, marking the day. 

  Besides, children, students, the elderly people and the children with special needs could visit the National Museum and its affiliated branch museums and all the archeological sites and museums under the Department of Archaeology at free of cost.