Volunteers arrange the decoration in front of the language martyrs' memorial monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 21, 2021. Bangladesh celebrated the International Mother Language Day on a limited scale Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

Bangladesh celebrated the International Mother Language Day on a limited scale Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization declared Feb. 21 the International Mother Language Day on Nov. 17, 1999 to honor the supreme sacrifice of language martyrs in Bangladesh.

One minute past midnight in the early morning of Sunday, on behalf of the president and the prime minister, their military secretaries placed the floral wreaths at the altar of the Shaheed Minar (language martyrs memorial).

A smartly turned-out contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, meanwhile, gave a state salute, while a bugle played a dirge.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the day is being observed on a limited scale discarding all sorts of massive gathering.

The Central Shaheed Minar and its adjacent areas have had a facelift on the occasion, and roads and medians have been festooned with Bangla alphabets and the national flag.

Many law enforcers including police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed in strategic points of Dhaka.

A number of close circuit cameras have also been set up at the Shaheed Minar area. 

A volunteer arranges the decoration in front of the language martyrs' memorial monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 21, 2021. Bangladesh celebrated the International Mother Language Day on a limited scale Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

Children take part in the ceremony of International Mother Language Day in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 21, 2021. Bangladesh celebrated the International Mother Language Day on a limited scale Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

A woman takes part in the ceremony of International Mother Language Day in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 21, 2021. Bangladesh celebrated the International Mother Language Day on a limited scale Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

A man walks past the decoration in front of the language martyrs' memorial monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 21, 2021. Bangladesh celebrated the International Mother Language Day on a limited scale Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

Volunteers arrange the decoration in front of the language martyrs' memorial monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 21, 2021. Bangladesh celebrated the International Mother Language Day on a limited scale Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)