Nation pays homage to ’52 language martyrs

Nation celebrates international mother language day today in commemoration of martyrs of language movement this day on February 21 in 1952. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shafiur, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil laid down their lives on this day with a view to establishing Bangla as one of the state languages of the then Pakistan.

As the clock struck one minute past zero hours, President Advocate Zillur Rahman placed a floral wreath at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar as tribute to the gallant Bangalees who laid down their lives 57 years ago to uphold the honour of Bangla language. Thereafter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with her cabinet members paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs. Meanwhile thousands of people from all walks of life had already started collecting at the Shaheed Minar premises since evening of 20 February to pay their respects to the martyrs of '52.

Stringent security has been taken at the Central Shaheed Minar as 7000 police and 750 RAB members have been deployed there. DMP Commissioner Naim Ahmed said police will cordon Shaheed Minar premises, they are assigned to maintain security in two phases from 7 pm to 5am and 5am to 2pm today.

Describing security measures, he said "There will be barricades at 23 places around Shaheed Minar, six archways for public entrance and 28 CCTV cameras for watching the area and metal dictators for identifying explosives. Forces will take position on the roof of high-rise buildings while plainclothes policemen will be vigilant."

On November 17, 1999, the UNESCO declared February 21 as the International Mother Language Day. Countries across the globe have since been observing the day to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education and raise awareness of cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

President Advocate Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued special statements on this day. Different political and cultural organizations chalked out programmes to observe 21 February.

25th anniversary of short and alternative film movement

Four-day film screening begins at Public Library

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of short and alternative film movement in Bangladesh, a four-day screening titled "Short and Alternative Film Festival" was inaugurated at Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library on February 18. The festival, arranged by Chalachchitram Film Society, also marks the 25th anniversary of two pioneering Bangladeshi short films -- Morshedul Islam's "Agami" and Tanvir Mokammel's "Hulia."

Short films made in the initial stages of the movement as well as contemporary acclaimed feature films are being screened at the festival.

A.T.M. Fazlul Karim, secretary, Ministry of Information, inaugurated the festival. Among others, Rasheda K Chowdhury, adviser to the last Caretaker Government; Morshedul Islam and Dr. Ashekur Rahman Khan, executive president and president of Chalachchitram respectively, spoke at the inaugural ceremony. Later "Agami" and "Hulia" were screened.

At the programme, Chalachchitram honoured noted filmmakers Tareque Masud and Tanvir Mokammel, two frontrunners in the arena of short and alternative film movement, for their contribution. Filmmakers -- representing the successive generation of the short and alternative film movement -- Mostafa Sarwar Farooki and Amitav Reza handed over crests to the seasoned auteurs.

Throughout four days, 19 short and full-length films by reputed and promising filmmakers will be screened. The list includes "Antarjatra," "Muktir Gaan," "Nodir Naam Modhumati," "Tajuddin Ahmed: An Unsung Hero," "Biswaraner Nodi," "Swapnodanay," "Chaka," and "Ekatturer Jishu."

Today six films -- "Iti Salma," "Rupantar," "Aparajita," "Chaka," "Bikal" and "Swapnodanay" -- will be screened from 3pm onwards.