Thousand Candles Lit to pay Homage to Martyrs

Every year since 1997, thousands of people from different corners of the country enjoy a spectacular sight as 1,00,000 candles, in the shape of Shaheed Minar and Bangla alphabets are lit in memory of the Language Movement martyrs in Narail on February 21. Visitors say that it is a wonderful spectacle and a nice way to show our homage to the language martyrs.

Thousands of people from different corners of the country enjoy a spectacular sight as 1,00,000 candles, in the shape of Shaheed Minar and Bangla alphabets are lit in memory of the Language Movement at the Wellington playground field (Kuridov Math) under Narail municipality area in the evening of February 21 every year.With the theme, “Andhokar Theke Mukto Koruk Ekush-er Alo”, Ekushey Udjapan Parishad launched the programme in 1997. From then on, the programme has continued as a ritual to pay homage to the Language Movement martyrs.Ekushey Udjapan Parishad organised the programme this year as well. Fozilatunessa, widow of Birsresto Nura Mohamad and Language veteran Rizia Khatun jointly inaugurated the ceremony.Among others, law-maker S K Abu Baker, Narail-2, Md. Zohirul Haque, Deputy Commissioner Narail, Sardar Rokibul Islam, Police Super Narail, Munshi Hafizur Rahman, convener, Ekushey Udjapan Parishad; dramatist Kochi Khondokar, member secretary of Ekushey Udjapan Parishad, Malay Kundu, convenor of Sammilita Sangstrik Jote and Sharful Alam Litu, Commissioner of Narail Municipality were present at the ceremony. A fair was also held at the venue.Artistes of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Narail also rendered folk songs and recited poetry. Maasranga Television aired the programme live.

Shorful Alom Litu, an organizer of this program said that we, about 7 to 8 youths, started this program from 1997 with the slogan- Andhokar Theke Mukto Koruk Ekush-er Alo.

Many visitors from different places said that it is a wonderful scenery and nice way to show our homage to the language martyrs. It cannot be explained in words how this phenomenon truly feels to the spectators present at the scene. Anyone who is yet come to visit this event has missed out on a great display, they added.