Commemorating the Bengali Language Movement

( Source :http://www.dailymirror.lk  -  Daily Mirror : Life Page  C4 )

Commemorating the   Bengali Language Movement

Monday, 20 February 2012

By Srimal Fernando

Amor Ekushey is a historic day for the Bengali nation .The people of Bangladesh have been observing it every year on 21st day of February as their glorious and unforgettable Language Martyrs Day. On this day in 1952 number of students who campaigned to advocate,Bengali language as an official language were killed in Dhaka during a Language movement protest. At the request of Bangladeshi people, on 17^th November of 1999 at the 30^th session of the General Conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held in Paris, 21^st day of February was proclaimed the International Mother Language Day. From the time of the declaration of this very important day, it has been observed annually throughout the world to promote linguistic and cultural diversity across the world. In Bangladesh, it is a National Day of Mourning. This day in Bangladesh is known as Shaheed Day. Each year at early hours of this solemn day thousands of people queue at the iconic sculpture of Shaheed Minar or the martyr’s monument constructed near Dhaka Medical College to pay tribute to the slain martyrs of the Bengali language movement. Many people bring red and yellow flowers and spread it out in front of the Shaheed Minar martyr’s monument. This five framed monument which is raised fourteen feet above the ground consists of four standing marble frames and a large double marble frame with a slanted top. The four frames at the Shaheed Minar monument are built to bear in mind the slain students who sacrificed their lives for the cause of   making Bengali an official language. The double frame at the martyr’s monument represents their mothers and country. Various competitions, festivals awards and book fairs are held through out the month to remember the Bengali culture and language. Major book fair known as Boi Mela with the corporation of the book publishers and book sellers has been held since 1974 in Dhaka, to honor this significant day. In Sri Lanka the Bangladesh High Commission will commemorate this   significant date in memory of the movement and will pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Bengali national identity. In tribute to the Bengali Language Movement and the ethno-linguistic rights of the people around the world let’s commemorate it on every Year, on        21^st  of February.