'Ekush' means 21st. In Bangladesh, 'Ekush' is synonymous with '21st February', the day when Bangladesh celebrates its Bangla Language Movement and honors those who sacrificed their lives for the right to speak in Bangla on 21st February, 1952, simultaneously sewing the seeds of the independence movement which was to free Bangladesh from its Pakistani rulers.
It has been a day of pride for all people of Bangladesh, that the supreme sacrifice made on this day in 1952 has eventually led to the recognition of preservation of mother languages worldwide. The United Nations' (UN) International Mother Language Day annually celebrates language diversity and variety worldwide on February 21.
This Day has become a milestone in recognition of the right to speak, promote and preserve all mother languages across the world.