As the sun went down, candles were lit one by one, casting a soft, translucent glow on the Shaheed Minar, a replica of the National Monument, and the Bangla alphabet painted on the ground of the Narail Govt Victoria College.
Published : 21 Feb 2014, 10:46 PM
Narail Ekushey Observation Council remembered the language martyrs by lighting thousands of candles with the slogan, ‘Let the lights of Ekushey free us from darkness’, on Friday evening, the International Mother Language Day.
Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu inaugurated the programme as the chief guest.
The programme began with the release of 64 paper-balloons marking the 64th Language Day, which coincides with the International Mother Language Day. Artistes of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote sang patriotic songs and recited poems.
Narail Deputy Commissioner Abdul Gaffar, Superintendent of Police Md Monir Hossain and the town's elite were present.
Ekushey Observation Council chief Munshi Hafizur Rahman said they organised programme every year, marking the Language Day with the expectation of ‘a communalism- and fanaticism-free, peaceful and beautiful Bangladesh’.
Council Member Secretary Kochi Khandker said there was no room for communalism in Bangladesh.
The people from Narail and neighbouring districts come to the town every year to enjoy the colourful function.
Habiba Sultana, a resident of Bhawakhali in the town, said they wait for this day through the year.
Ismail Hossain from Jessore said: “I have been hearing of these programmes for the past several years. So, this year I’ve come here to enjoy them.”