Amar Ekushey today in new perspective

Amar Ekushey February returns today carrying memories of the language martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the Bengali language, this year in a new perspective marked with democratic transition after an uprising.

According to traditional rules, paying floral tributes began at 00:01am on February 21 (Saturday). President Mohammed Shahabuddin was the first to pay tribute, followed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and cabinet members.

President Shahabuddin reached the Central Shaheed Minar four minutes before the zero hour. On his arrival at the Central Shaheed Minar, he was received by Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan.

Later Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at the Shaheed Minar at 12:04am and placed a wreath around 12:07am.

He stood in stolen silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes.

A munajat was offered praying for salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs and those who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War and various democratic movements.

Later, the Prime Minister, along with cabinet members and his advisers, also placed a wreath at the altar of the Shaheed Minar, paying homage to the language martyrs on behalf of the BNP and the government.

On behalf of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique, along with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, also paid tributes to the language heroes by placing a wreath.

Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, members of parliament, the chiefs of the three services, senior BNP leaders, opposition leaders, freedom fighters, foreign diplomats and high civil and military officials also paid tributes afterwards.

Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public. Hundreds of people from all walks of life paid tributes with flowers at the memorial.

Every return of the day reminds the people of Bangladesh of their cultural spirit and pride manifest in the 1952 Language Movement, seen as precursor of the independence war and national freedom.

The Amar Ekushey is observed across the world as the International Mother Language Day under the aegis of the United Nations since recognition of the historic occasion by the UNESCO as a human heritage of struggles for right to mother tongue.

Across Bangladesh, people observe the day with due respect, paying tribute to the martyrs through various programmes and portrayals.

The Central Shaheed Minar has been beautifully decorated to mark Amar Ekushey.

This year, the annual Ekushey Book Fair, which used to begin on the first of February, has been deferred until February 25 because of post-uprising transition into democratic dispensation through the general election, held on February 12.

On Friday noon, a visit to the Shaheed Minar area showed artists and students busy painting Alpana on the surrounding streets. The painting works on the Shaheed Minar premises were completed, while most of the exterior decorations were also nearly finished. This year, white, yellow, pink, and blue colours were mainly used in the artwork.

Several graffiti depicting language martyrs have been painted on the surrounding walls. Wall paintings featuring famous sayings, poems, songs, and literary lines related to Amar Ekushey are also there. Many curious visitors were seen enjoying the artistic preparations and taking photos with the artworks.

Prof.Azharul Islam, the head of decoration committee, said around 500 students from the Fine Arts faculty of the University of Dhaka were engaged in the decoration work. "The students have been working with dedication from the beginning under the guidance of their teachers," he told the FE correspondent.

On the occasion of the entire event, strict security measures have been taken in and around the Shaheed Minar area. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sazzat Ali shared the information after inspecting the overall preparation and security arrangements on Friday morning.

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