Nation takes a bow to Ekushey martyrs............

President Zillur Rahman led the nation in tribute to the country's language martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past midnight Saturday, on International Mother Language Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the next to honour the Language Movement heroes who laid down their lives back on Feb 21, 1952 for recognition of Bengali as one of the state languages of the undivided Pakistan.

Hasina, chief of the ruling Awami League, then led her party's presidium members to pay homage. Sister Sheikh Rehana joined the group in placing wreaths.

Speaker Abdul Hamid, deputy speaker Shawkat Ali and whips came in next to show their respects.

Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, diplomats, donor representatives followed them.

Three-tier security measures were taken to avert any disruptions, police said.

Hundreds of security personnel were deployed in and around the Shaheed Minar premises on Dhaka University campus.

The law-enforcers controlled thousands of emotional and curious onlookers as the leaders placed wreaths.

UNESCO proclaimed Feb. 21 the International Mother Language Day on Nov 17, 1999 to honour the sacrifices of language martyrs Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar, Shafiur and the ones whose names could not be known on that historic day in 1952.

Since the Unesco proclamation, 188 countries across the globe observe the day to promote linguistic diversity, multilingual education, and to raise awareness about cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.