National
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud Envisions Bangla as UN Language
In a moving tribute to the heroes of the 1952 Language Movement, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud expressed Bangladesh’s aspiration to designate Bangla as an official language of the United Nations. Addressing a ceremony commemorating National Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day at the Foreign Service Academy, Hasan acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the national dream.
“Our dream is to make Bangla the official language of the UN. I know there are many hurdles, but this is our dream today,” he declared.
The ceremony, attended by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and various foreign missions in Dhaka, also saw praise for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s role in the 1952 Language Movement. Hasan highlighted Bangabandhu’s decision to organize a protest rally on February 21, 1952, while he was in jail.
The event paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 War of Liberation, and Hasan commended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, citing accolades received at the Munich Security Conference 2024.
International Mother Language Day, endorsed by UNESCO and the UN General Assembly, celebrates linguistic diversity and advocates for multilingual education. The 2024 theme, “Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning,” emphasizes education in one’s mother tongue.
Bangladesh’s observance of ‘Amar Ekushey’ underscores its commitment to cultural and linguistic preservation. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laying wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar symbolize a national moment of unity and remembrance, echoing the anthem ‘Amar Bhai-er Rakte Rangano Ekushey February.’
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
