February 21, 1952. On a spring day colored by Polash flowers, the streets of Dhaka were stained with the blood of brothers. That movement of students and people for the demand of Bengali as the state language is now recognized worldwide.

Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar—and many others whose names are unknown. It is in exchange for their blood that today we speak in Bengali, sing in Bengali, and dream in Bengali.

"Can I forget the twenty-first of February, colored by the blood of my brother?"

Ekushey means not bowing down. Ekushey means protest against injustice. Ekushey teaches us to be uncompromising in claiming our rights.