Language Movement veteran Abdul Matin addresses a human chain organised by the Hunger Project Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday, marking International Literacy Day. — New Age photo

Bangladesh celebrated International Literacy Day on Saturday focusing on the link between literacy and peace, this year’s theme adopted by UNESCO.
In 1965, UNESCO proclaimed September 8 as International Literacy Day.
The day was first celebrated across the world in 1966.
The government and NGOs celebrated the day through elaborate programmes.
Campaign for Good Governance organised a national seminar at CIRDAP auditorium to mark the day.
Dhaka University Social Science professor Mahbuba Nasreen, Members of Parliament Biren Sikder, Nilufer Chowdhury Moni, Campaign for Good Governance chairperson Mustafizur Rahman Khan, general secretary Arifur Rahman spoke at the seminar.
They said that the government should declare education as a basic right and not a basic need of the citizens.
They urged the government to implement the National Education Policy 2010.
They said with its budgetary allocations and planning the government would not be able to fulfill its election pledge that 100 percent literacy would be achieved by 2015.
The ministry of primary and mass education held a rally in front of the Central Shaheed Minar and a discussion at Osmani Memorial Hall and the Non-formal Education Bureau held a discussion at its auditorium in the city to celebrate the day.
The Campaign for Popular Education and Amar Odhikar Campaign also held rallies, seminars, discussions and formed human chains across the country.