Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Muhammad Yunus. -File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 20, 2025 (BSS) - 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.

"Since 2000, Bangladesh and UNESCO have been jointly observing this day in a befitting manner," he said.

This year's UNESCO topic of the day "Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development" is justified, he added.
 
The Chief Adviser said the Bengali nation, which had endured centuries of enslavement and domination, achieved its first victory in its struggle for independence on February 21, 1952. 

The language movement holds special significance in the history of the Bengali nation's liberation movement, he added.

Dr Yunus said the groundwork for the establishment of a democratic, language-based, non-communal state structure was established by this movement. 

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, he said. 

In 1956, Bangla was granted the status of a state language and February 21 was declared Martyrs' Day and a public holiday, he said, adding that on November 17, 1999, UNESCO recognised February 21 as 'International Mother Language Day.' 

"The Interim Government which was established through the July Uprising is working consistently to defend the dignity of the nation and its languages, which are essential to growth and prosperity," he said.

It is also working to ensure that the Bangla language is used in information technology, he said. 

"Textbooks in the mother languages of various ethnic groups, including Braille books, are being distributed free of charge," said Dr Yunus. 

The Chief Adviser wished success to all the programmes undertaken on this occasion.