International Mother Language Day : when, History, all thing about this Day

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.

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.