President Abdur Rahman Biswas yesterday paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Language Movement In 1952 and called for united efforts by all to uphold the dignity of mother tongue, reports BSS.

He was- speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of a three-week long programme' and book exhibition organised by Islamic Foundation Bangladesh in observance of February 21.

Religious Affairs Minister M Keramat All, Director General of Islamic Foundation Dawood-uz-Zaman Chowdhury and Additional Secretary in charge of the Ministry Abdul Hamid Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.

The President said our mother-tongue is the main strength of self entity and independence and flow of that strength shotild be maintained to consolidate our independence and sovereignty.

He called upon the intellectuals to continue their ceaseless efforts to nourish the language and literature for further enrichment.

Later, the President inaugurated the book exhibition organised at the Baitul Mukarram premise where 60 stalls have been set up for sale of different religious and other books published in Bengali.