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The nation observes today the 'Amar Ekushey' commemorating the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of mother-tongue Bangla — this time amid a new spirit.
The Language Martyr's Day is observed around the world as the UNESCO recognised the Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
Walking barefoot to Dhaka's Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers and singing 'Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February', people from all walks of life started paying their respects to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as a state language of erstwhile Pakistan, from midnight Thursday.
On February 21, 1952, students and common people in Dhaka took to streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as a national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.
Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firings this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus braving section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language.
The day is a public holiday.
Chief Adviser of the post-uprising interim government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus issued a message on the eve of the occasion.
"On the occasion of Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day, I pay tribute to people of all languages in the world, including Bangla. Since 2000, Bangladesh and UNESCO have been jointly observing this day in a befitting manner. 'Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development' as this year's UNESCO topic is justified," says Dr Yunus.
He mentions that the interim government established through the July Uprising is working consistently to defend the dignity of the nation and its languages, which are essential to growth and prosperity.
"It is also working to ensure that the Bangla language is used in information technology. Textbooks in the mother languages of various ethnic groups, including Braille books, are being distributed free of charge," he adds.
National dailies have published special supplements marking the day and Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private radio stations and television channels are airing special programmes on the occasion.
Multi-tier security measures were taken at the Central Shaheed Minar ahead of 21st February.