United News of Bangladesh

President Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar marking ‘Amar Ekushey’—the International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibosh. President Shahabuddin arrived at the Shaheed Minar exactly at 11:59pm and placed a wreath as the clock struck 00:01. DU VC and other university officials met and greeted the President. Mother Language Day: CA releases commemorative postage stamp Chief Adviser Yunus placed a floral wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar shortly after zero hours. Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan welcomed the Chief Adviser upon his arrival at the Central Shaheed Minar, said Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Earlier in a message, the Chief Adviser said, “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.” Dr Yunus said 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 added. DMP issues route guidelines to Central Shaheed Minar on Feb 21 The nation is observing 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyr's Day and the International Mother Language Day on Friday, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of mother tongue Bangla. The day is also being observed around the world as UNESCO recognised Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999. Walking barefoot to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers singing 'Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February', people from all walks of life will pay their respect to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan. On February 21, 1952, students and common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan. DMP Chief calls for traffic police involvement in road accident investigations Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firing on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan. The day is a public holiday.

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Jatiya Nagorik Committee Tuesday gave the government until January 15 to come up with the July Proclamation, issuing a note of warning against delays. The ultimatum came during the "March for Unity" programme held at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital. Jatiya Nagorik Committee spokesperson Samantha Sharmin said, "No initiative has been taken regarding the July proclamation even after five months of the resurgence. The government only moved after we took the initiative. The proclamation must be done by January 15." Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, criticised the delay in the announcement, saying, "We have been so preoccupied in the last five months that the declaration hasn’t been announced. But it is our historical responsibility to ensure this is done." She further warned against delays, saying, "We will not tolerate any further postponements. The road has become the solution for our people, and we urge the government to resolve matters at the negotiation table. If not, the people will take action." Fatema also reiterated their demands for justice and accountability. "There will be no elections before the Awami League is tried. Justice must be served for the families of martyrs and the injured. The government must guarantee their security." Read: Students fill Central Shaheed Minar with 'March for Unity' slogans Declaring that "July is not dead," she assured that the movement will persist. "We will not let this movement fail as others did in the ’90s."  

People from all walks of life including colleagues and admirers paid their last tributes to Ekushey Padak-winning thespian, playwright, and director Masum Aziz at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city on Tuesday. His body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar at 11 am, after the first janaza at Banasree in the capital at 9 am. Sammilita Sangskritik Jote arranged the programme. Aziz’s son Utsha Zaman expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the fans, colleagues and admirers of the legendary thespian. "I cannot explain how the people of the country loved my father throughout his entire life. There is nothing more to say than to express gratitude for this. I will be grateful for the rest of my life to those who stood by our side and fought together during the last ten months,” he said. The event was joined by a number of cultural personalities including Asaduzzaman Noor, Dilara Zaman, Mamunur Rashid, Ramendu Majumdar, Ghulam Quddus, Nader Chowdhury, Ahsan Habib Nasim, Salahuddin Lavlu, Chayanika Chowdhury and many more. “I knew him for years, never seen him without his youthfulness and positivism towards life. With his death, we have lost one of our most iconic artistes in the industry,” eminent thespian and former Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor said at the event. On behalf of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Additional Secretary (Administration) Hasna Jahan Khanam paid homage to the late artistes at the Central Shaheed Minar. His body was then taken to the Central Mosque of Dhaka University where his second namaz-e-janaza was held after Zohr prayers, and the body was then taken to his hometown Pabna where he will be laid to eternal rest.

The High Court (HC) on Sunday inquired about the steps taken to implement the court’s more than 10-year old directive to ensure the sanctity of the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital.

Lily Chowdhury, eminent theatre activist and wife of the late martyred intellectual playwright Munier Chowdhury, passed away on Monday. She was 92.

BNP on Sunday paid homage to the martyrs of 1952 Language Movement, marking Amar Ekushey, the Language Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday paid rich tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement by placing wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar marking ‘Amar Ekushey’ -- the International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibosh.

Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Saturday said necessary security measures have been taken across the country for the smooth and peaceful observance of the Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day on Sunday.

The grateful nation is set to observe the Amar Ekushey -- the Language Martyrs Day (Shaheed Day) and the International Mother Language Day -- on Sunday, marking the supreme of sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the right to speak their mother tongue Bangla.

A route map for going to the Central Shaheed Minar on February 21 to pay respect to language martyrs has been finalised by Dhaka University's Central Coordination Committee.