DHAKA, Feb 21, 2022 (BSS) – Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam has said that the Language Martyrs of Bangladesh had set up a unique example in the world by sacrificing their lives for the cause of mother tongue.

The Language Martyrs not only protected the dignity of Bengali language on February 21 in 1952, the Bengali nationalism based on language and culture was also initiated through their self-sacrifice, he remarked.

The ambassador was speaking as the chief guest at a function organised on the occasion of great "Amar Ekushey" and the "International Mother Language Day 2022", according to a press release received here today.  

DC Ekushey Alliance 2022, a forum of 25 socio-cultural organizations of the Greater Washington DC Metropolitan Area, arranged the event under the management of BAITPO and in cooperation with Arlington County and "arlington arts" at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington in Virginia on Saturday evening.

Katie Cristol, Chair, Arlington County Board, was present at the ceremony as the special guest.

Islam hoped that the united efforts of all will continue to build a non-communal, peaceful, prosperous and modern Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by upholding the spirit of great Ekushey.

Katie Cristol said the rights to speak in own language is the most basic of human rights in the United States.

She said the International Mother Language Day and the martyrdom of the students who fought in the mother language movement remind us that the right to speak in mother language is also a collective way to build communities and a sense of collective purpose for one another.

The Arlington County Board chair said they are honored to be able to recognize the International Mother Language Day and the bravery of the martyrs for the right to speak as well as to celebrate the contributions of the many Bangladeshi Americans who made our county and region such a rich and special place.

Officials of Bangladesh Embassy, led by Ambassador Islam, placed a wreath at the altar of a makeshift Shaheed Minar set up on the dais to pay rich tributes to the Language Martyrs.

Later, a colourful cultural function was staged where Bangladeshi artistes performed chorus song and group dance as well as recited poems and "puthi" on great Ekushey.

Apart from Bangladeshi artistes, Mexican and Mongolian children performed spectacular group dance.