Include language martyrs' biographies in school curriculum

Family members of language martyrs pose for photograph with the guests at a view exchange meeting on the present status of the family members at the conference hall of Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Hall at Dhaka University yesterday. Jute and Textile Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, former adviser to the caretaker government Syed Manzur Elahi and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique were present.Photo: STAR

Family members of language martyrs yesterday demanded inclusion of biography of language martyrs in the school curriculum to make the young generations informed about the contribution of the valiant fighters.
"We want people to know about the five language martyrs who laid down their lives for Bangla language movement. We want their biography to be included in the textbook," said Nurul Islam Badal, son of language movement martyr Abdul Jabbar.
Dhaka University Alumni Association and its US chapter jointly organised the view exchange meeting on the present status of the family members of language movement martyrs at the Conference hall of Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Hall at Dhaka University.
"Most of our people, especially our farmers and labourers, do not know who are our language movement martyrs. Once they would know about the historical past of our martyrs, it would embolden their spirit," said Jute and Textile Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui.
"Though we have got an independent Bangladesh, people are not yet respected here if they cannot speak in English," Latif said.
"I do not despise any particular language but no nation would be able to achieve economic and cultural freedom if its people cannot express themselves in their mother tongue properly," he added.
"We have to stand against any kind of injustice holding our heads high. 'Ekush' does not mean to bow down our head," said Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique.
Language martyr Shafiur Rahman's son Shafiqur Rahman, martyr Rafiq Uddin Ahmed' brother Khorshed Alam, martyr Abul Barkat's nephew Alauddin Barkat Lala and Abdul Karim, brother of martyr Abdus Salam were present among other language-martyr family members.