What is International Mother Language ?
International Mother Language is a global annual celebration
of cultural and linguistic diversity, which falls on February 21 every year.
UNESCO declared this day as an official celebration in November 1999, followed
by its celebration in February 2000 for the first time. The formal recognition
for the observation came in 2008, when a resolution was passed in UN General
Assembly, which recognized it as the International Year of Languages. On this
day in 1952, four students were shot dead by the police, while demonstrating in
Dhaka, in favor of the official use of their mother tongue, Bangla in
Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, this day is a public holiday and is also known by
the name of Shaheed Day. It continues to be a global observance, though it has
not acquired the status of a public holiday in other parts of the world.
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| International Mother Language Day |
History of International Mother Language Day
At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, the Bengal
province was divided into two parts, based on the religion of the people who
inhabited these areas. While Western part of Bangladesh came in India, the
eastern part which was predominantly a Muslim area went to Pakistan, and was
called by the name of East Pakistan or East Bengal. This part of Pakistan
remained cut off from West Pakistan due to disparities relating to culture and
language. Things got worse in 1948, when Urdu was declared as the official
language of the country, causing widespread protests by the Bengali speaking
population of East Pakistan. These protests met stern measures by the
government and tensions kept mounting in the country in the coming years. The
problems reached its peak in 1952, when on the fateful day of February 21, the
students of University of Dhaka organized a public protest, during which the
police opened fire on the agitating crowd, leading to death of four students.
This day is now celebrated as the International Mother Language Day, to
commemorate the sacrifice of death of these students who fought for the right
to use their mother tongue liberally.
This peaceful protest was carried on by the people of
Bangladesh, until their language was given the status of official language in
Pakistan on February 29, 1956. In 1971, Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan
to become an independent nation with Bangla as its official language.
Observance of International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day is a day dedicated to promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity all over the world. The aim is to encourage people to learn their mother tongue, besides learning more languages too. Bangladesh celebrates this day as the Shaheed Day to pay homage to the innocent victims who lost their lives n this day, to support their mother language. Here, people offer flowers at the monument called Shaheed Minar and celebrate their culture language. They organize festive get together with families and friends, and buy glass bangles for the females. Literary competitions are organized with winners being honored with awards. The famous Linguapax Institute of Barcelona presents the Linguapax Prize on this day every year, to commend people who make outstanding contribution in the field of multilingual education. Additionally, UNESCO encourages mother languages by setting themes for International Mother Language day every year and numerous events are hosted by the organization at the headquarters located in Paris on this day every year. Also, 2008 was declared as the International Year of Languages on International Mother Language Day that year.
The purpose of celebrating this day every year is to
encourage the use as well as knowledge around the world.
International Mother Language Day SMS
Preemies Can Hear You, So Talk to Them, Not Just Around Them, Happy International Mother Day
As it is mother language day we remember to the martyrs
who dedicated their lives for our beautiful country.
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