Month of glorious language movement begins

The nation will pay tributes to the brave sons of the soil, who were killed during the language movement in the month of February in 1952 as the month of language movement begins today.

February is a month of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives on the streets of Dhaka on February 21, 1952, demanding Bangla as the national language.

For Bengalis, it is a month that celebrates their language and stirs patriotic spirit. Throughout February, the nation pays tribute to the language martyrs, honouring their enduring legacy.

The Bengali nation gained the honour of their mother tongue through the supreme sacrifices of Salam, Shafiur, Barkat, Rafique, Jabbar, and others during the historic movement on February 21, 1952.

It is a matter of dignity for the nation as only the Bengalees have sacrificed their lives for establishing their mother tongue as state language.

In 1999, UNESCO declared February 21 as the 'International Mother Language Day'. Through this, February 21 is now celebrated as the 'International Mother Language Day' in various countries of the world.

The Language Day, February 21, is also recognised as the International Mother Language Day.

The nation usually observes the month through various programmes. The first hours of February 1 will be observed through various programmes at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city.

Different social, political and cultural organisations will also observe the month through various programmes.

However, the month-long Amar Ekushey Book fair, which traditionally begins on the first day of February, is the main attraction of the month-long observance, will not start on the first day of February this time due to various issues including the National Assembly elections and Ramadan.

The arrival of February recalls for Bengalis the blood-stained slogans, the red-tinted memories, and the sacrifices made for the mother tongue. The enduring legacy of the Language Movement continues to inspire Bengalis to preserve their identity in education, culture, and social life.

For Bengalis, February is more than just a month—it is a time to reconnect with their roots, honor the generations who carried the language forward, and celebrate the Bengali language, which remains the lifeblood of the nation.

Today, the struggle to uphold the dignity of Bangla stands as a symbol of pride and recognition on the international stage.