Mothers and their children are celebrating "International Mother's Day 2023" on Sunday by showing each other love and affection in Bangladesh as well as other parts of the world, reports UNB.
Founded in the first decade of 1900 by American woman activist Anna Jarvis, the day was inspired by the notion that "Mother is the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world."
In order to recognize the sacrifices mothers make for their children when her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis passed away in 1905, Anna Jarvis conceptualized Mother's Day.
She coordinated the first recognized Mother's Day event in Grafton, West Virginia, in May 1908, at a Methodist church. Her persistence paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day in the United States.
Mother's Day is now a recognized holiday celebrated by billions of people all over the world. She also organized a campaign and other activities to observe this day as a national holiday.
People are celebrating Mother's Day today in Bangladesh and throughout the world through presenting their mothers gifts as a way of showing their appreciation for always being there, writing heartfelt letters to their mothers, and cooking their mothers' favorite dishes to mark the happy occasion.
Those who don't live nearby had to make do with phone calls and video chats to reduce the distance, while those who lost their mothers on this day pray for their souls in heaven.
Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are overflowing with written tributes to moms from everyone from commoners to celebrities.
Many fashion labels, gift shops, restaurants, food and grocery delivery services, and providers of recreational services are now offering special discounts and lucrative deals to allow their customers to celebrate this special occasion with their mothers in person.
Meanwhile in the cultural and entertainment arena in Bangladesh, several special programmes are being telecast on television, OTT platforms and radio stations.
Two special movies - Zahidur Rahman Biplob directed and the government-funded short film 'Omor Faruker Maa' and Aranya Anwer directed feature film 'Ma' were screened marking the occasion of Mother's Day at Bangladesh Film Archive and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, respectively, on Saturday.
The digital copy of the short film 'Omar Faruker Maa' was handed over to the Bangladesh Film Archive authority after the screening.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
