Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa yesterday on the occasion of Great Martyr's Day and International Mother Language Day laid wreaths at Shahid Minar in Bangladesh High Commission premises. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Feb 22, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh High Commission in Canada observed the ‘Amar Ekushe’ and International Mother Language Day in Ottawa in a befitting manner.

Members of Bangladesh community in Ottawa, officials of the embassy and the members of diplomatic corps participated in the daylong event, according to an official release said here today.  .

The commemoration of the ‘Martyrs Day’ and International Mother Language Day in Ottawa was strived to disseminate linguistic and cultural diversity as well as multilingualism to promote culture of peace. 

In her welcome address at the event, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Nahida Sobhan paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of the language martyrs of 1952 as well as the 2024 July Uprising and emphasized the global significance of the International Mother Language Day. 

She stressed the role of multilingualism in fostering peace and inclusivity. 

She also echoed the theme of UNESCO’s 25th anniversary of the Members of Bangladesh community in Canada, International Mother Language Day in accelerating progress on linguistic diversity to build a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2030. 

Colourful and diverse cultural performances were presented by Bangladesh, Nepal and Thailand to convey the spirit of culture of peace embodied in the International Mother Language Day. 

The programme of the day began in the morning with hoisting of the national flag half-mast   by High Commissioner Nahida Sobhan at Bangladesh House in Ottawa. 

This was followed by placing  of wreaths by the High Commissioner along with the members of the community at the high commission to pay homage to the language martyrs of 1952. 

One minute silence was observed in remembrance of the martyrs of the Language Movement and the War of Independence and the 2024 July Uprising. 

Messages issued on the occasion by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Adviser for Foreign Affairs Md. Touhid Hossain were read out. Two documentaries - The Economist’s ‘Country of the Year 2024’ and ‘July Anirban’ were screened. 

A discussion session on the significance of the day was also arranged with High Commissioner Nahida Sobhan in the Chair. Prominent community members and youth representatives spoke at the discussion session.