The nation is set to observer the 'Bhasha Shaheed Dibosh' (Language Martyrs Day) and the International Mother Language Day on Wednesday (Feb 21) through extensive programmes. On the day, the national flag will fly half-mast in all educational institutions, government, semi-government and autonomous offices and private buildings across the country.
In line with the national programmes, the day would be observed by all educational institutions, city corporations, pourasabhas, the district and upazila administrations and Bangladesh missions abroad.
In observance of the day in a befitting manner, the Central Shaheed Minar premises has been redecorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected verses on the mother language as the nation awaits the clock to strike one-minute past zero hours (midnight) tonight to start paying homage to the martyrs of the great Language Movement.
Tight security has already been enforced around the main altar of the Shaheed Minar and the Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs as streams of people are set to pour into these places to lay wreaths to express their heart-felt respect to the language martyrs.
President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the nation in paying homage to the Language Movement heroes by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours (midnight tonight).
Meanwhile, they issued separate messages on the eve of the day, paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement of 1952.
Marking the day, ruling Bangladesh Awami League has taken a two-day programme that includes placing of wreaths at the central Shaheed Minar at one-minute past zero hours tonight, hoisting half-mast the national and party flags at its offices across the country and Bangabandhu Bhaban, wearing black badges and hoisting of black flag in the morning as a mark of respect to the Language Movement martyrs.
The party will hold a discussion meeting at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium at 3 p.m. in the city on Feb 22. Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will chair the discussion. Authorities of Dhaka University have taken a series of programmes to observe the Amar Ekushey.
The programmes include placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar, bringing out Provat Feri (Dawn March) led by DU Vice-Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman at 6:30 a.m. from the foot of Aparajeya Bangla and offering Fateha at Azimpur Graveyard.
DU will also arrange special prayers for the martyrs at all the masques of the campus including DU Central Mosque Masjidul Jamia after Zohr prayer.
Islamic Foundation will hold Quran Khwani, doa and Milad Mahfil at Azimpur graveyard mosque in the city at 7.30 am Wednesday seeking salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the Language Movement.
Later, another Quran Khwani, doa and Milad Mahfil will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Senior Pesh Imam of the mosque Hafez Moulana Muhammad Mizanur Rahman will conduct the milad and munajat.
Road islands and important spots in the city have been decorated with festoons inscribed with Bangla alphabet.
Various organizations and institutes, including Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Nazrul Institute, Jatiya Grantha Kendra, National Museum, International Mother Language Institute and Shishu Academy will observe the day across the country through elaborate programme.
