Language hero Ziaul says youths can change nation
Khan Ziaul Huq
Language movement veteran Khan Ziaul Huq at eighty now works to contribute to nation-building and still dreams that Bangla will be used in every sphere of national life in near future. He also likes to dream a better future for the nation. “I firmly believe that the new generation will be able to free the country from illiteracy, poverty, exploitation, corruption, anarchy and militancy”, said Huq, a life-long dedicated teacher and social worker while talking to The Daily Star. Octogenerian Huq is vice-pPresident of Patient Welfare Association, life member of Red Cresent Society, an executive committee member of Magura Foundation. One of the student leaders of the Language Movement, Huq has kept his home town Magura pulsating with life by his energetic presence and endless dreams for about fifty years. Now in his old age, he feels pained at the state of anarchy he sees around him. But he still believes in the 'power of youths' who will definitely bring about positive changes and turn the society into a better one. On February 21, 1952, Ziaul Huq along with another language veteran Aminul Islam Chandu Mian was picked up by police when they brought out a procession from Nomani Maidan area and moved towards Chourongi Square in the town. Yet they continued to mobilise support in favour of the movement to establish 'Bengala' as the state-language of the then Pakistan. He feel proud now because February 21 has being observed as International Mother Language Day. “Every year February 21 is observed but no political or socio-cultural organisation look for the people who did a lot for the dignity the mother tongue”, he said. “Our new generation should be kept aware of the glorious history of the nation”, he said. After doing his B.A. from M.M. College in Jessore, Khan Ziaul Huq started his career as a journalist and joined the then Daily Azad and subsequently worked with some other dailies. He then took to teaching profession and served Magura Model High School and Abdul Gani Academy as assistant headmaster and headmaster respectively. Latter, with help of local people, he founded several educational institutions like Adarsha Degree College, Dud Mallick Girls High School and Profullo Chandra Ayurvedic Medical College. He has also been involved with local Lalitkala Academy, Shilpokala Academy, Naboganga Sahityo Goshthi and Shishu Academy. “I have been able to do whatever I have done or trying to do. I hope the younger generation will do the rest”, he said.
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