Dhaka, March 1 -- Ekushey February had a specific role to play in our history leading to 1971. It's not just about the cultural decorations built around it. The rituals that surround it are considered semi eternal without a time frame. Most people assemble in the early morning and some just after midnight and lay wreaths at the Shaheed minar as they sing solemn songs.

The gathering is there to do and witness the same. As it's a sacred place, no shoes are allowed and the sense of the assemblage is solemn befitting a memorial ceremony to the dead. It is in every way a traditional homage ceremony to confirm a link to history and gather strength to aspire for socio-historical objectives.

Anyone who has been involved with the ritual will und...