The month of February had earlier been one of red-letter months out of twelve - month to the people of Bangladesh as the month is known a composition ofunforgotten ablehistorically thoughtful events. We, as bangalees, await eventful month . Because, the struggle to become free from Pakistani occupation is started through language movement held in 1952.centering the movement this month is known as month of language to the people of Bangladesh. No doubt that Bangladesh came into being in 1971 from Pakistani military painful rule through the fresh agitation arranged by the young generation born on this soil.
On the first day of the month Book fair in the name of "Amar Ekushey Book Fair" is inaugurated by the country's premier with a gala events arranged by BanglaAcademy where honorable prime minister along with prominent personalities, writers, think-tanks just after unveil the month-long fair begins visiting the stalls set up with modern temporary amenities and well lighted and decorated with demand-driven various types of books. In and around of the fairground wear a colorful banner, festoons marking the importance of Bangla language that had been achieved by a number of martyrs in 1952.
Soon after debut the fair the eminent famed writers, publishers, poets from home and abroad are observed tothrong the well-arranged fair and take the event seriously as yearly get together programme. The old aged visitors enjoy much one another apart from gossiping purchasing desired books at a discount rate offered in the fair only.
The fair also plays a significant role in creating employment generation mostly come from undergraduatelevel students of different universities, colleges situated in capital city, Dhaka. Earnings of publishers from selling targeted books coupled with novel, poem, science fiction, glossary, children favored books is recorded more than expectation and the record hits millions at the end of month long fair resulting in bring moveable the economic wheel.
The kids coming with its parents are also taking the flavor of book fair from its early life which is the testimony of development of future generation and also the book loving people of more or less eighty years old never miss to touch fair as this kind of book gathering has turned into yearly get together program to all walk of people.
As a very young writer my suggestion that Amar Ekushey Book Fair might be arranged under the guidance of the local administration in upazila and district level in light of giving importance to the Bangla language as well as make force habit of reading book among the country people from where they may find out thetrue history of Bangladesh apart from gathering knowledge.
The economy would also be bolstered centering the book fair held across the country as unexpected money circulation is held in month long fair. It is widely alleged that book fair is completely remained from the stall adorned with banking or financial related books which is a great threat for the economy though the information technology related books have recently started flooding in the fair. Without having financial knowledge no country can go forward. So, the financial books are to display to sell out to the book lovers. Now a days a good number of writers are writing the books for kids where the history of independence has been included. This is obviously good work, I think. From early age the children should nurture how Bangladesh came into being.
It is broadly known that through language movement in 1952 by hundreds of tender agedstudents, the hope to become free the country from Pakistani ruler. At first, a procession for establishmentBangla language instead of Urdu was brought out from Dhaka university campus and later marched on Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) area. Soon after touch the territory of DMCH,a number ofstudents were fired to kill while demanding equal status to their native tongue, Bangla. In memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives during the procession which was brought out against establishment the language Bangla instead of Urdu, the people of Pakistani speaking language, Central Shaheed Minar , the national monument of Bangladesh was built soon after massacre of February 21, 1952 and since then millions of country people started gathering from evening to pay tribute placing flowers at the foot of ShaheedMinar with bare footed.
There is no denying thatfrom the zero hours to all day long on that day the people from all strata including under five kids are seen to sing a song - Amar Bhaier Rôkte Rangano- written by the veteran journalist Abdul Gaffar Choudhury who put a number of roles through composing many liberation-friendly poems and write-ups published in different dailies at home and abroad.
It is important to say that in light of massacre month- February 21, 1952 had been declared language martyred day and this day is observed in the country as elsewhere in the globe with solemnity commemorating the heroic sacrifices of half a dozen martyrs.But, it is noticed that this memorable day backed by historical affair is not given due importance to the people of difficult -to-reach areas of the country which is a matter of shame for the nation.it is high time to observe this so significant day in nook and corner of this soil by arranging required programme.
Moreover, the month of Bangla named " Falgun" comes in February 13 of every year along with a favorable loving weather which stands important for both youngsters and spinster wearing traditional yellow color share adorned with fresh flowers from neck to head and colorful panjabi and who hope to exchange emotional view each other centering the day. As a nation we are very lucky having seen to observe by all aged people another day named "Valentines Day" on February 14 and the day is widely observed in developed countries where taken this day as one of gala days. Being the status - developing country-the flavor of developed countries have already hit the country which is prerequisite to become developed one by soon. The ValentinesDay " is a sign among global festivals.
The great message for country's economy is that on the eve of two colorful days those who run flower business across the country are greatly financially solvent selling out million pieces of flowers specially the rose to the couples, school-going children and others. A remarkable amount of Tk is made turnover in the flower market and earnings from export flowers in different countries is recorded higher than expectation which help to move the economic wheel.
It is noted that those who on service welcome this month for having only twenty eight- day because they get their remuneration after twenty eight days instead of thirty or thirty one days. So, enjoyment of people on service know no bounds for giving additional time to family members having limited working days. In this month reciting poetry written by noted poets of home and abroad is observed on the campus areas of colleges and universities.
To conclude, being Bangaleeas a nation we should not remain inside the house in this month since a series of programmes displaying country's true history which are held one after another across the country, we ought to go out without making further delay to attend the various events along with our young generation so that the people of various colors and aged groups might take the learning how Bangladesh came into being and also come to know about the importance the month known as month of language.
The writer is Executive Officer of Social Islami Bank Ltd, Bangladesh.
Latest News