Int’l Mother Language Day Today

The nation is observing ‘Amar Ekushey’ and the International Mother Language Day today, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of the mother tongue Bangla, reports UNB.

As the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognised Ekushey February as International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999, the day is also being observed around the world.

This year’s theme of International Mother Language Day is “Multilingual education – a necessity to transform education.”

Walking barefoot to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers singing “Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February,” people from all walks of life paid their respect to the heroes of the language movement who sacrificed their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan.

On February 21, 1952, students and the common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then-Pakistani government’s denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.

Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firings on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan.

The day is a public holiday.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day.

In his message, the president said “The spirit of Amar Ekushey is now the incessant source of inspiration for protecting languages and culture of peoples of different languages in the world. But we have to be more diligent in proper practice and preservation of the Bengali language and culture.

“With the blessings of information technology, we are now the inhabitants of a single global village. Therefore, to maintain the pace of advancement with the developed world, our present generation has to attain necessary skills in different languages which are recognised as international communication media.”

The president continued, “I believe that observing International Mother Language Day will play a positive role in the development and preservation of our own language as well as in building a sustainable future through multilingual education - this is our expectation.

“Embracing the spirit of Amar Ekushey, let mutual respect be awakened among the people of different languages and cultures of the world, let a colourful world without discrimination be developed - it is my expectation on Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day.”

In her message, the prime minister said, “Bengali nationalism was established through the language movement. Following the ideals of Bengali nationalism and the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, we have made Bangladesh a role model for development in the world in the last 14 years.

“We will transform the country into Smart Bangladesh by 2041- building Smart Citizens, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society,”

She added, “In addition, we are also implementing Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100. I firmly believe that we will be able to establish the developed, prosperous, and self-esteemed ‘Golden Bangladesh’ as the Father of the Nation dreamed.”

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruq on Sunday said that there is no possibility of any terrorist attack on Language Martyr’s Day or International Mother Language Day, as the DMP has taken all necessary preparations to ensure security.

“We have brought the entire area from Palashi to Doel Chattar under CCTV cameras’ surveillance to ensure security. The area will be monitored by CCTV cameras from the police control room,” the commissioner said.

“The programme has been divided into two parts. The president, the prime minister, cabinet members and diplomatic personnel will pay their respects to the martyrs first. Then, it will be open to the general public”, he said.

People will enter through Palashi and exit through Doyel Chattar to pay respect to language martyrs, said the DMP commissioner, adding that people will not be allowed to carry bags or other belongings.

National dailies published special supplements marking the day. Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private radio stations and television channels are airing special programmes on the occasion.

BNP has also chalked out a 2-day programme to observe Amar Ekushey.