RANGPUR, Feb 21, 2022 (BSS) - The ‘Shaheed Dibash and the International Mother Language Day- 2022’ was observed paying rich tribute to language movement martyrs amid huge enthusiasm here today as elsewhere across the country.

Hundreds of enthusiastic people participated in daylong programs with huge emotion and patriotic zeal to observe the day abiding by the health directives in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In line with the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, observance of the day marked special significance as many people discussed the special contribution of Bangabandhu to the language movement.

Speakers at separate discussions took a fresh pledge to ensure use of Bengali at all levels and establish the spirit of the War of Liberation and build a prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu.           

Under management of Rangpur City Corporation and the district administration, the observance began at one minute past midnight with placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city amid tight security measures.

The Divisional Commissioner, Mayor of Rangpur, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for Rangpur Range Police and Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner first placed wreaths paying homage to the Language Movement Martyrs.

Later, District Council Chairman, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police (SP), Presidents of district and city units Awami League (AL) and its General Secretaries placed wreaths there.

Local leaders of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, AL and its associate bodies, other political parties, heads of government departments and professional organisations and common people placed wreaths.  

The divisional, district and police administrations, sociocultural and professional organisations, political parties, private bodies and institutions chalked out programs to observe the day.

The programs included hoisting of national flag at half-mast atop all buildings, educational institutions, decoration of city streets with miniature national and colored-flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets, ‘probhat ferries’ and discussions.

Besides, competitions for children on drawing, essay writing and patriotic songs were arranged virtually, documentary films on the language movement screened and special prayers offered at places of religious worship.

The local daily, weekly, online and other newspapers published special issues and Rangpur Betar Kendra aired special programmes narrating the significance of the day.

Rangpur City Corporation, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur Medical College, Carmichael College and other educational institutions and professional organisations observed the day in a befitting manner.

The district administration organised the main discussion on the Central Shaheed Minar premises where language movement veterans were accorded reception and prizes distributed among winners of different competitions.

With Deputy Commissioner Md. Asib Ahsan in the chair, Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdul Wahhab Bhuiyan and Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa addressed the discussion as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

DIG for Rangpur Range Police Devdas Bhattacharya, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Alim Mahmud, District Council Chairman Advocate Chhafia Khanom, SP Ferdous Ali Chowdhury, President of district AL Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, its General Secretary Advocate Rezaul Karim Raju, city AL President Shafiur Rahman Shafi and its General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mandal addressed as special guests.