Kathmandu, February 21:

Embassy of Bangladesh in association with the Nepal Red-cross Society organised a blood donation programme on its premises in Kathmandu, on the occasion of the 10th International Mother Language Day today. Scores of people donated blood in the commemoration of the martyrs who sacrificed their life for equal opportunity in Bangladesh.

A few hundred persons from different sectors donated their blood to honour the martyrs for their contribution to establish their rights to mother language. Proclaimed by the general conference of UNESCO in November 1999, the day has been observed every year.

Bangladeshi expatriates, officers and staff members of the embassy and their family members along with a number of Nepali students, professionals, media persons, intellectuals, members of Nepal Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Nepal Bangladesh Alumni Association donated their blood during the function.

Bangladeshi Ambassador to Nepal Imtiaz Ahmed said that the mother tongue was a powerful means for any nation or people to understand their full potential for development.