Bangladesh High Commission in Mauritius pays tribute on 21 February

Bangladesh High Commission in Port Louis observed Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day 2025 with due dignity. 

 As part of the unique programme of the day, the national flag was officially lowered at half-mast on the morning of 21st February 2025 at the High Commission premises. The programme was attended by ambassadors, High Commissioners and Diplomats from several Embassies and High Commissions, including Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Madagascar, South Africa, the USA, Australia, China, and Libya. Representatives of the International Organizations and the University of Mauritius also participated in the program. His Excellency Mr. Jean Yvan Robert Hungley, the Hon'ble Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, attended the event as the chief guest with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Mauritius H.E. Mr. Zokey Ahad in the chair. 

The theme for the day is 'Make language count for sustainable development'. At the beginning of the programme, one minute's silence was observed in memory of all the martyrs of the language movement. The Messages of the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Foreign Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh, were read out. All members of the diplomatic corps actively participated in the programme by saying a few sentences in their languages and translating them into English. 

H.E. Mr. Zokey Ahad, High Commissioner, paid his most profound tribute to the martyrs and survivors of the July Revolution of 2024. He expressed his deepest gratitude and respect to the language martyrs of 1952 who sacrificed themselves in the struggle to protect the existence and dignity of the mother tongue.  In his speech, he mentioned that International Mother Language Day has created an opportunity to show respect and preserve all the world's languages. He also said that the mother tongue is one of the elements of peace through which we can build a world of mutual understanding and inclusive society.

His Excellency Mr. Jean Yvan Robert Hungley, Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, expressed his deepest gratitude and respect to the language martyrs of Bangladesh. He said that this day is a celebration of linguistic diversity and a reminder of the sacrifices of the spirit of humanity, unity, and identity. He expressed that this day holds special meaning in a multicultural island like Mauritius.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Mauritius, members of the diplomatic corps, Bangladesh communities, mission officials, and family members laid floral wreaths in front of the martyrs' monument (Shaheed Minar) with due solemnity and fervour.