The nation was paying tribute to its Language Movement martyrs from the first minutes of Sunday, Feb 21, being observed round the world too as International Mother Language Day. Thousands of people had flocked towards the Central Shaheed Minar ahead of midnight when, as is tradition, the first of a sea of floral tributes are laid down at the monument by the president. 
President Mohammad Zillur Rahman, minutes after zero hour, laid a circular wreath of green and red with a Shapla flower at the centre. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina followed with a similar one. 
After them, came cabinet members and advisers to the prime minister, chiefs of the three services, opposition leader Khaleda Zia as well as language movement veterans and liberation war heroes among others. 
Different organisations placed bouquets and wreaths, many went there with a single rose or a tuberose, toddlers holding their mothers' hands or riding on their fathers' shoulders. Freedom fighters, language movement veterans, physically  challenged people, youths, day labourers, workers, homeless 
people, academicians, intellectuals, politicians and foreigners walked in queues. 

The Central Shaheed Minar and its surrounding areas received a facelift on the occasion. Streets and their central reservations were decorated with festoons inscribed with Bangla letters and the national flag. 

Security was tight at the venue for the ceremony. Around 8,000 law-enforcers, including army, BDR, RAB and police, were deployed at the Shaheed Minar, Dhaka University and its surrounding areas. Members of various voluntary forces were assisting them. Special Security Force took full control of security at the Shaheed Minar area after 8pm. All vehicle movement was suspended from Doel Square, Palashi, TSC to Shaheed Minar. 

 

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