The nation is set to observe 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyr's Day (Shaheed Day) and the International Mother Language Day on Wednesday, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of mother tongue Bangla, reports BSS.

The day will also be observed around the world as the UNESCO recognised the Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.

Walking barefoot to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers singing 'Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February', people from all walks of life will pay their respect to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan.

On February 21, 1952, students and the common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.

Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firings on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan.

The government has taken extensive programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.

The day is a public holiday.

Bangladesh Missions abroad will also observe the day.

Different political-social-cultural-professional organisations will arrange various programmes, including seminars and cultural functions, to observe the day.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the eve of the day.

bd-pratidn/GR