Dhaka: Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Muhammad Yunus today paid tribute to people of all languages in the world, including Bangla, on the occasion of the great Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language Day-2025 to be observed tomorrow. “On the occasion of the great Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language Day, I pay tribute to people of all languages in the world, including Bangla,” he said in a message on the eve of the day.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, since 2000, Bangladesh and UNESCO have been jointly observing this day in a befitting manner. This year’s UNESCO topic of the day “Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development” is justified, the Chief Adviser added. He emphasized the significance of the Bengali nation’s struggle, highlighting its first victory for independence achieved on February 21, 1952, during the language movement. This movement is pivotal in the history of the Bengali nation’s liberation, laying the groundwork for a democratic, language-based, non-communal state structure.
On this day, Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabbar, Abdus Salam, Rafiquddin Ahmad, Shafiur Rahman, and many others sacrificed their lives to protect the dignity of their mother language, Bangla. In 1956, Bangla was granted the status of a state language, and February 21 was declared Martyrs’ Day and a public holiday. Furthermore, on November 17, 1999, UNESCO recognized February 21 as ‘International Mother Language Day.’
The Interim Government, established through the July Uprising, is actively working to defend the dignity of the nation and its languages, which are essential to growth and prosperity. Efforts are also being made to ensure that the Bangla language is integrated into information technology. Additionally, textbooks in the mother languages of various ethnic groups, including Braille books, are being distributed free of charge. The Chief Adviser wished success to all the programmes undertaken on this occasion.