The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observed “Mohan Shaheed Dibosh” and International Mother Language Day on Tuesday by paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement.
The Embassy arranged an elaborate program to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes who laid down their lives in Dhaka 71 years ago to establish Bangla as the state language.
The day-long program started with the placing of a floral wreath at the altar of the Shaheed Minar by the Bangladesh Ambassador on the embassy premises at one-minute past zero hours.
The immortal song composed on ‘Amar Ekushey’ –” Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulite Pari” — was played at that time. Embassy officers and employees and members of their families were also present on the occasion.
In the morning, the Ambassador hoisted the national flag at half-mast in front of the Chancery in the presence of the Embassy officials and employees. A ‘Prabhat Ferry’ was arranged to commemorate the day.
A floral wreath was also placed at the bust of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Corner of the Embassy to pay deep respect to the Father of the Nation.
The messages issued on the occasion by the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out by Deputy Chief of the Mission Ferdousi Shahriar, Minister (Economic) Md Mahadee Hassan, Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain and Counselor (Public Diplomacy) Arifa Rahman Ruma.
Later, two documentaries made on the history of the great Language Movement were screened. A special prayer was offered seeking divine blessings for the martyrs of the Language Movement as well as for continued peace, progress, and prosperity of the nation.
In the evening, the Embassy arranged a discussion meeting followed by a colorful cultural event by Bangladeshi artists and performers from five countries to show the diversity of cultures around the world.
In his remarks, Ambassador Muhammad Imran termed the spirit of the great Language Movement as like a lighthouse for the Bengali nation and said that Bangladesh is now advancing fast to become a developed and prosperous country as dreamt by Bangabandhu under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by holding that spirit. He called upon the Bangladesh diaspora in the USA to contribute unitedly towards the development of Bangladesh and encourage the new generations to know more about the rich Bangla language, culture, and heritage.
The artists from Bangladesh, India, Paraguay, Ghana, and Nepal and a cultural group comprised of East European countries performed captivating the audience with their own songs and dances at the packed Bangabandhu Auditorium.
Ambassadors and diplomats from various countries, senior officials of the US State Department and the government, political leaders, journalists, representatives of social and cultural bodies, and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora attended the event. Counselor (Political-I) Md Moniruzzaman and First Secretary (Passport & Visa Wing) Md Abdul Hye Milton conducted the two parts of the day-long program.