Around the globe

The fervour of International Mother Language Day spreads beyond borders. To mark the day, Bangladesh missions in a number of countries hosted programmes on the theme of the Language Movement, attended by various luminaries and important state figures.

On the occasion yesterday, Bangladesh missions in New Delhi, New York, Mumbai, Sri Lanka, Tokyo, Singapore, and Greece held programmes with due respect, say press releases and report news agencies.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi paid tribute by bringing out a "Probhat Ferry" (dawn procession), holding a panel discussion, and publishing a tribute souvenir, reports UNB.

Led by  newly-appointed High Commissioner Muhammad Imran, officials and staff of the mission, along with their families, participated in the procession. The Ekushey elegy "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" was sung as the parade went along the chancery premises, said a press release. It then went onto place wreaths at a recently installed Shaheed Minar.

The national flag was hoisted at half-mast. A special prayer was held  seeking divine blessings for the language martyrs. A one-minute silence  was observed in memory of the martyrs. Cambodian Ambassador to India Ung Sean took part in the procession and wreath placing ceremony.

In New York, permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN and Bangladesh Consulate General jointly organised a wreath placing ceremony at the temporary Shaheed Minar in the Consulate General's auditorium.

Additionally at UN HQ, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in Australia, Cameroon, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, UN Secretariat, and Unesco NY office jointly organised a Language Day programme with an international flavour. Another programme was organised by Bangladesh Consulate General and Queen's Public Library under the mainstream programme "Culture Bridge" for Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Guyanese, Thai, and Colombian expatriate citizens of New York.

Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh, Mumbai observed the day with due respect at the city's President Hotel. The programme was attended by Maharashtra government's State Chief Information Commissioner Sumit Mallik as chief guest and ex-Vice Admiral of Indian Navy Vishnu Bhagwat, said a press release.

Along with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast, observing a minute's silence for the martyrs, and singing of the Ekushey elegy, the programme also featured projection of documentary film "My Mother Tongue".

Deputy High Commissioner Md Lutfor Rahman, Consul General of Ireland Gerry Kelly, Consul General of Italy Stefania Costanza, along with diplomats, government representatives, expatriate Bangladeshis, media representatives, mission staff etc. also attended the programme.

In Colombo's historic Independence Square, Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka hosted a grand Language Day programme attended by Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane, other ministers, ambassadors, and almost 350 school students.

The programme featured prize giving for the art, essay, and poetry competition that was held around the country for the last two months. At the end of the ceremony, artistes from Colombo-based Russian Cultural Centre, Maldivian Educational And Cultural Centre, China Cultural Centre, Alliance Française, and other organisations participated in a cultural programme.

PM Rajapaksa and the ministers lauded the Bangladeshi ambassador and High Commission for such a grand and creative initiative.

In Japan, Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo observed Language Martyrs' Day  and International Mother Language day with due respect yesterday,  reports UNB.

Around 7:30am, Dr Sahida Akter, charge d' affaires, Masato Saito,  vice mayor of Toshima city, and embassy officials placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar situated at Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park in Toshima  city as tribute to the language heroes, said a press  release.

Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore yesterday arranged a daylong programme to observe "Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day", reports BSS. 

The daylong programme started with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast by High Commissioner Md Mustafizur Rahman while officials of the High Commission and expatriate Bangladesh community members were present.

A discussion on the significance of the day was held at the hall room of the chancery.

In Greece, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Athens, Greece, hosted a cultural programme to mark the day. The event was attended by various dignitaries.