Online Desk:  Highlighting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s pivotal role in advancing the Bangla language, acting High Commissioner to Canada Dewan Hossne Ayub urged collective efforts to make Bangladesh a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041, drawing inspiration from the spirit of the Language Movement and the Liberation War.

He acknowledged the role of two Bangladeshi expatriates in Canada in the recognition of International Mother Language Day and attributed its success to the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The envoy also thanked the people and government of Canada for enacting the ‘International Mother Language Day Act’ by the House of Commons in March 2023, recognizing February 21 as International Mother Language Day, said a media release issued by Bangladesh High Commission, Ottawa on Thursday.

On February 21, 2024, Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa observed ‘Shaheed Dibosh’ and ‘International Mother Language Day’ in a dignified and solemn manner through a day-long program.

The day commenced with hoisting the national flag at half-mast, accompanied by the national anthem, by Minister and acting High Commissioner Dewan in presence of other officers and officials, at Bangladesh House.

Following the flag hoisting, a special prayer was offered for the salvation of the souls of the language martyrs of 1952.

A special discussion, chaired by the Minister and acting High Commissioner, was held at the High Commission’s Auditorium.

The event was attended by members of the High Commission as well as Bangladeshi expatriates residing in various provinces of Canada.

The ceremony began with the laying of a floral wreath on the portrait of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, followed by a minute of silence to honor all language martyrs and the martyrs of Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971.

At the beginning, special messages from the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were read out by the officers of the High Commission.

Following this, a documentary on the language movement was screened. Then the invited guests shed light on the significance of the day.

They emphasized on the importance of promotion of Bengali culture and language.

In his address, Dewan paid tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, all martyrs of the language movement who sacrificed their lives for establishing Bangla as a state language of the then East Pakistan.

He recounted Bangabandhu’s significant involvement in the language movement, describing him as a main driving force, even enduring imprisonment for his leadership.