Community News Desk: Amar Ekushey was observed at the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra with the wider participation of Bangladesh community and foreigners.
More than hundred men and women representing government offices, ACT Ministers, Ambassadors, multilingual community groups and Bangladeshi diaspora assembled in the dawn and spontaneously joined the Probhat Fery with flowers, festoons and banner singing the song of Ekushey “Amar bhaier rokte rangano ekushe February, ami ki bhulite pari”.
Australian dignitaries, including the Australian Capital Territory Attorney General and Leader of the ACT Greens Shane Rattenbury, Minister for Health, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and Minister for Families and Community Ms. Rachel Stephen-Smith, a couple of ambassadors, including from India and Russia and other members of the diplomatic corps, First Assistant Secretary of North and South Asia Division of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Gary Cowan, and above all Bangladesh community members passionately attended the Probhat Fery at the cusp of dawn.
Probhat Fery was organised for the fourth consecutive year around Manuka Oval that ended at temporarily installed Shaheed Minar at Telopia Park.
After the walk, the Ministers and other dignitaries paid their homage to the language heroes by placing floral wreaths at the altar of the Saheed Minar.
Bangladesh High Commissioner Mohammad Sufiur Rahman emphasised on revitalizing dying languages and promoting respect for each mother tongue. He shared that Bangladesh took pride in its language struggle and sought to remind the world of the importance of protecting languages to celebrate pluralism and diversity.
He also commended the roles of Bangladesh diaspora in Australia in createing greater awareness on preservation of mother languages through various initiatives. The dignitaries underscored significance of Ekushey and linguistic diversity and multiculturalism.
The dignitaries highlighted the importance of multilingualism and cultural inclusion to face the challenges of this turbulent time. The speakers praised Bangladesh in the global campaign for securing honour for all languages and promoting multiculturalism.
Later, the High Commissioner hoisted the national flag at half-mast at the Chancery premise. The messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out. A Special munajat was also offered for the salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs and for a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Bangladesh.
The evening programme for the Bangladesh community commenced with a discussion session on the significance of Ekushey and International Mother Language Day. High Commissioner referred to the risks of racism while pursuing respect for own mother tongue and thus marginalise languages of smaller communities. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh also spoke among others. The discussion session was followed by a colourful cultural program with songs, dance and recitation of poems that enthralled the audience.
Like previous years, the temporarily installed “Shaheed Minar” at the Telopea Park will, remain in place till 24 February 2022 for public viewing and reflection.
