Showing deep affection for mother tongue on International Mother Language Day, thousands from two neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and India, gathered in no-man's land between Benapole and Petrapole yesterday.

Carrying banners, festoons and placards, they gathered there defying the geographical border. No border security from Bangladesh or India prevented them from crossing the border either.

Singing “Amar Bhaiyer Raktey Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulitey Paari”, they paid rich tributes to the Language Movement martyrs by placing floral wreaths at a makeshift Shaheed Minar there.

Border security forces of the two countries also greeted each other with flowers on the occasion.

Benapole municipality Mayor Ashraful Alam Liton presided over the programme where distinguished guests from Bangladesh and India placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar around 9:00am.

Many also participated in a blood donation drive.

Awami League presidium member Pijush Kanti Bhattacharya and its General Secretary of Jessore unit Shahin Chaklader were also present during the programme.

Guests from India included Food Minister of West Bengal Joyteepriyo Mallik, lawmakers Sreemoti Mamata Thakur and Biswajit Das.

Addressing the programme, Joyteepriyo said, "I've come here to respond to the call of the mother tongue. I'm overwhelmed to see such friendly people of both countries observing the day together..."

Awami League presidium member Pijush Kanti said everyone will remember the heroes who sacrificed their lives for establishing Bangla as the state language.

Several socio-cultural and political organisations also joined the programme where among others, poet Asad Chowdhury and noted Indian authors Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Anupam Roy and Sanjib Chattopadhyay were present.

Shirshendu said, "The people of this soil have set a rare example of sacrificing lives for their mother tongue."

He hoped that such a gathering would bring the people of the two neighbouring countries closer.