Ekushey observed on no man's land

Bangladeshi and Indian nationals yesterday observed the International Mother Language Day jointly by holding programmes at zero line along the borders of Hili in Dinajpur and Benapole in Jessore.

They 'ignored' the international land boundary for the day and observed the occasion by holding different events including cultural events and blood donation programmes with the participation from both countries.

They also paid tribute to the Language Movement martyrs by offering floral wreaths at temporarily erected Shaheed Minars.

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman attended the event at Hili in Dinajpur arranged by Hakimpur upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad.

The minister welcomed the Indian nationals at the programme where among others local lawmaker Shibli Sadiq was present.

Goutam Kumar Chakraborty, editor of a weekly in Kolkata, said India is a country of 300 different languages.

“We are celebrating the day with due respect to Bangladeshi people who saved their mother tongue Bangla through a movement,” he said.

In Benapole several hundred people from Bangladesh and India carried banners, festoons and placards and gathered at No Man's Land yesterday.

Officials of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs at a temporary Shaheed Minar erected there.

BGB officials also handed flowers to BSF on the occasion. The event was held amidst highest security on both sides of the border.

Attending the event, West Bengal Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick said he was overwhelmed to see friendly people from both countries observing the day together.

“I've come here to respond to the call of our mother tongue,” he said.

Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra singer Rothindranath Roy and Khurshid Alam rendered songs at the function while the guests also took part at a blood donation event.

Among others, West Bengal Information and Technology Minister Bratto Basu, Awami League Presidium Member Pijus Kanti Bhattacharia, poet Asad Chowdhury and noted Indian writer Sheersendu Mukhopadhyay were present at the event.

[Our Dinajpur and Benapole correspondents contributed to this report]