International Mother Language Day observed by the High Commission of Bangladesh

International Mother Language Day, proclaimed by the UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 was celebrated by the Bangladesh High Commission, Male’ at the Social Centre in the Maldives with due solemnity.

It is also observed as ‘Language Martyr’s Day’ in Bangladesh and many places in the world by Bangladeshi diasporas in commemoration of the sacrifice of the Bangalee students who laid down their lives for establishing right of their own language.

Following proclamation by UNESCO, International Mother Language Day is being observed every year since 2000 on 21st February with a particular theme. This year’s theme concerns the use of information and communication technologies for safeguarding and promoting languages and linguistic diversity.

The programme organized by the Bangladesh High Commission was attended by Dr. Mariyam Zulfa, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture of the Maldives, the Bangladesh High Commissioner, invited dignitaries and large no of Bangladeshi expatriates.

Dr. Mariyam Zulfa paid tribute to sacrifice made by the people of Bangladesh for establishing right of their mother tongue and emphasized on enriching respective language in her speech. She highlighted the steps taken by the Government of Maldives in protecting heritage, culture and language which will foster better bondage with the other nations.

Rear Admiral A S M A Awal, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh highlighted on the historical importance of the language movement as the founding sprit which led to emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country in 1971.

He also mentioned about international dimension of the day which calls for safeguarding all languages and intercultural dialogue through linguistic diversity. Different speakers from the Bangladesh expatriates also spoke in Dhivehi as a mark of respect for the language of their host country. The discussion session was followed by a cultural function staged by the artists from the Bangladeshi expatriate community.