Observance of the Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day 2016 at Bangladesh High commission, Canberra

22 Feb, 2016 by Shahriar N. Khondokar

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Press Release

(21 February 2016)

Observance of the Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day 2016 at Bangladesh High commission, Canberra

The Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day was observed on 21 February 2016, Sunday at Bangladesh High Commission, Canberra in a befitting manner with the placement of wreath at the Shahid Minar at 0001 hrs by H.E. the High Commissioner Kazi Imtiaz Hossain along with the officials of the Mission followed by the members of the community. The second phase of the program started by hoisting the national flag to half-mast by the High Commissioner in presence of all the officials of the Mission at 9.00 a.m. Then 1 minute silence has been observed. Recitation from the Holy Quran and Doa were organized for the peace and salvation of the departed souls of the valiant language fighters who sacrificed their lives for establishing mother tongue Bangla as state language.

Messages of the Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister and Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out .A discussion session on the significance of the Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day was held at the conference room of the High Commission. Members of the Expatriate Bangladesh community living in Canberra participated where they paid tribute and homage to the valiant language fighters, who shed their lives for establishing our mother tongue Bangla as the state language in 1952.

In his remarks, H.E the High Commissioner, Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, paid deep homage and tribute to the language martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for mother tongue which ultimately led to born independent Bangladesh. He also recalled the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with gratefulness for his prudent leadership from 1952 to 1971. He mentioned that the Language Movement left deep impression on the minds of the younger generation of Bengalis and infused them with the spirit of Bengali nationalism. The sacrifices of the language activists and the language martyrs of that glorious movement did not go in vain. Now, 21^st February has become a global event and is being observed as International Mother Language day by the Member States of United Nations in a befitting manner.

He made appeal to all to work together with the spirit of language movement for materializing the vision 2021 and 2041 of making Bangladesh a developed country declared by Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A cultural program was organized at the end of discussion session. The program was concluded by giving thanks to all participants.

Shahriar N. Khondokar

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