The Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo observed the Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day with due solemnity and dignity.
The formalities of the day began with the laying of floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar at Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park in Toshima City of Tokyo.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan, Shahabuddin Ahmed, and Deputy Mayor of Toshima City, Katsumi Amagai, paid tribute to the language martyrs by laying floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Embassy officials were present at the event.
Later, Bangladeshi expatriates in Japan and other guests offered floral tributes through a ‘Probhat Pheri’.
In the next part of the program, Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmed officially lowered the national flag of Bangladesh to half-mast at the embassy premises.
At that time, officials and employees of the embassy and the visiting guests sang the national anthem in unison.
After that, a minute of silence was observed in the memory of the language martyrs and a special prayer was offered for the salvation of their souls and prosperity of Bangladesh.
Later the messages given on the Martyrs’ Day by the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Deputy Secretary General of UNESCO were read out.
Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmad recalled with deep respect the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the Language Movement.
He paid tribute to language martyrs and highlighted the background and significance of the language movement.
The envoy urged all present to come forward to protect the language and culture of all ethnic groups, including the development of their own mother tongue and culture embracing the spirit of February 21.
The ambassador said that under the able and strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is moving forward on the path of developing the ‘Golden Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
He urged everyone to work from their respective positions to establish a smart Bangladesh through the implementation of 'Vision 2041' announced by the Prime Minister.
President of Japan Bangladesh Society, Ambassador Masato Watanabe; former JOCV volunteer Oshima Mutsuko and leaders of the expatriate Bangladeshi community in Japan participated in the open discussion.
Later a documentary on the Language Movement and International Mother Language Day was screened.
