Ekushey Forever: Breaking the barrier with language

Bangladeshi and Indian nationals yesterday observed International Mother Language Day jointly by holding programmes at zero line along the border of Benapole.

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

Carrying banners, festoons and placards, several hundred people from  the two neighbouring countries gathered at the No Man's Land and paid  rich tributes to the language heroes by placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar set up temporarily there.

Besides, officials of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border  Security Force (BSF) of India paid homage to the Language Movement  martyrs.

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.

Bangladesh lawmaker Sheik Afil Uddin presided over the event. He  hoped such a gathering would bring people of the two countries closer.

Swapan Bhattacharjee, state minister for Local Govt, Rural  Development and Cooperatives, also paid tributes to the language heroes.

Several social-cultural and political organisations also took part in the programme.