International Mother Language Day, also known as Mother Tongue Day or World Mother Tongue Day, is a day celebrated on February 21 in memory of the language movement and the language martyrs of the people of Bangladesh.
On February 1, 1952, some students were martyred by the police in Dhaka while demanding the national status of the Bengali language. In their memory, this day was first celebrated all over the world on February 21, 2000, after a proposal was presented by Bangladesh to the General Conference of UNESCO held in Paris on November 17, 1999, demanding that February 21 be declared International Mother Language Day.
The proposal states that since the mutual coexistence of the world’s languages is at the core of UNESCO’s objectives and since the tangible and intangible cultural expressions and traditions of different nations and groups are the most powerful means of preservation and development, the recognition of this day will not only promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also awaken a fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural heritage and encourage international solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and opinion.
On this day, programs and language exhibitions are conducted at UNESCO headquarters as an appreciation and recognition of the unprecedented sacrifice of the Bengali-speaking community of Bangladesh on 21 February 1952 for the demand of the mother tongue.
History of International Mother Language Day
Since the creation of Pakistan through the partition of the country in 1947, the central government of Pakistan tried to destroy the educational culture of East Pakistan i.e. Bangladesh, in the context of which the language movement was created.
The movement that took place from 1947 to 1952 to establish the mother tongue of Bengali as the national language is called the language movement. The first session of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan began in Karachi on 23 February 1948. Urdu and English are adopted as the language of the Constituent Assembly there. Bengali was also demanded as the language of the Constituent Assembly.
But the leaders of the Muslim League, including the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, opposed it. As a result, on March 2, in Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall in Dhaka, All-Party Struggle Parishad was formed for the Bengali language. The Parishad called a general strike on March 11, 1947, and the students took to the streets with a procession. Many students were seriously injured when the police fired and lathi-charged indiscriminately during the procession.
In protest, it was decided to hold a strike in other educational institutions of Dhaka University on March 13 and to continue this strike till March 15. On March 19, 1948, the Governor General of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah came to Dhaka for the first time. He announced in a meeting at the racecourse ground on March 21 that only Urdu will be the state language of Pakistan. A strike was held in Dhaka on March 26 in protest. After Jinnah’s death on September 11, 1948, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan came to Dhaka on November 18.
The previous day, the Rashtra Bhasha Karma Parishad was formed in Dhaka. Liaquat Ali Khan followed Jinnah while addressing the Constituent Assembly in 1950 and said that two will be the national languages of Pakistan. In protest, a strike was observed on the streets of Dhaka on 30 January. From February 20, 1952, for a month from February 20, 1952, a strike in all parts of Dhaka district banned public processions and announced the promulgation of Section 144.
But when the students violated Article 146 and took to the streets, the police fired mercilessly. Rafiq Jabbar Salam Barkat and many others who are not known were martyred. Shahid Minar was built to commemorate the martyrs and February 11 was observed as World Mother Language Day (International Mother Tongue Day).
Recognition of International Mother Language Day
Although not in Bangladesh, the journey towards this outstanding achievement started at the hands of a Bengali. On March 29, Mother Language Lovers of the Society of British Columbia, Canada presented a proposal to the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to declare February 21 as ‘International Mother Language Day.
Freedom fighter Rafiqul Islam, the founder of the organization played an important role in recognizing the sacrifices of Bengalis even from far away from the country. The proposal was signed by 10 members of different languages. However, according to the advice of the United Nations, the matter was approached in Paris by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO.
Then a year passed. Although no decision was reached, he kept in touch with UNESCO about Abdus Salam, another Bengali living in Canada.
On March 3, 1999, Rafiqul Islam started his journey to take another step forward. It was informed by UNESCO that if the matter is to be included in the discussion of the General Assembly of UNESCO, proposals from several countries must be submitted.
The matter was not so simple. Because within a few days the general assembly meeting. So Rafiqul Islam contacted the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh. The then-prime minister of Bangladesh ignored everything and sent the historic proposal to the UNESCO headquarters. Which reached Paris on 9 September. However, due to several reasons, including the cost of the celebration, the issue is likely to be stalled in the 157th session and 30th conference of UNESCO’s Executive Council. However, ASHK Sadek, the then education minister and the leader of the delegation of that session, played a big role there.
In addition to building public opinion in favor of International Mother Language Day, he was able to convince everyone in the session that the organization does not have to bear any cost to celebrate the day. On February 21, 2000, International Mother Language Day was first celebrated at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris.
Since that year, International Mother Language Day is being celebrated with dignity in the member countries of the United Nations.17 November 1999. A unique achievement is added to the success of Bangladesh. A symbol of the Bengali spirit, a day of sacrifice for the language, National Martyrs’ Day on 21st February gets the status of International Mother Language Day.
Since the recognition of the United Nations, the day has been celebrated by people speaking different languages of the world. The need to cherish one’s language and culture as well as reverently remember the sacrifices of Bengalis for the language is gaining more and more importance worldwide.
Significance of International Mother Language Day
Language is the carrier and carrier of the cultural heritage of a country. Explaining the need to observe ‘International Mother Language Day at the UNESCO conference, it is said that language is the most powerful tool in preserving cultural heritage. The promotion of the mother tongue will not only encourage linguistic diversity but also multilingual education. It will contribute to the understanding and development of cultural heritage.
The significance of International Mother Language Day is to give due status to every mother tongue, especially to protect the weak and obsolete mother tongues from extinction, not to try to impose dominance on a weak language. On this day, every language-speaking people will love their mother tongue and respect the mother tongue of other nations as well. In this way, people will be motivated to love their mother tongue by holding Ekush.
The traditions and culture of every ethnic group in the world have been developed by adopting the mother tongue. Mother tongue is a basic resource of all people of the world irrespective of caste, religion, and color. Bengali’s mother tongue is Bengali. In 1952, Bengali has set a unique example of self-sacrifice for the mother tongue in world history. We got that recognition at the end of the century. The world has recognized this day as International Mother Language Day. International Mother Language Day is a recognition of the importance and dignity of the mother tongue.
Why should we celebrate International Mother Language Day?
The importance of the mother tongue is paramount in the life of a nation as well as people. Language is the only way to express human thoughts and emotions. Our world is a mixture of many races and many languages. It is the responsibility of every nation to preserve its cultural history. The day dedicated to language is known as International Mother Language Day. We need to observe this day. Our history and culture are disappearing.
New generations are not aware of history. So by celebrating International Mother Language Day we can make them understand the importance of language. And they will know how Bengalis fought and sacrificed their lives for this language. The nation’s history, tradition, and culture can face a crisis at any time. Therefore, every nation should be encouraged to preserve its historical heritage by observing International Mother Language Day.
By observing Language Day, people learn to respect each other’s ethnic language and culture heritage. As a result, human society continues to be rich in tradition and culture. We have to remember that if there is mutual unity, it is possible to improve the country and the nation. The main objective of celebrating International Language Day is to preserve and respect the culture and traditions of one’s own nation and other nations. So, this day should be observed very seriously by all of us.
How to celebrate International Mother Language Day?
International Mother Language Day on 21st February is a unique chapter of national history. Because to keep the dignity of the mother tongue intact, the brave children of Bengal stained the pitch-black streets with blood on this day. This language movement gave Bengali a higher status and a new identity in the world court. The sacrifice of martyrs in the language movement is written in golden letters. In the pages of history.
It is in return for the great sacrifice of those who poured their fresh blood on the highway to establish the mother tongue Bengali. Bengali has got a sweet language. Bengalis remember them with reverence on February 10th every year. On this day, martyrs are honored with flowers at the Shaheed Minar built in memory of them. This day was celebrated as the first International Mother Language Day on February 21, 2000, after receiving international recognition. Currently, 188 countries around the world are celebrating February 1st as ‘International Mother Language Day’ with great joy.
International Mother Language Day is celebrated all over the world as Ekushey is the beacon of our thoughts. Twenty-one is now a symbol of language and rights struggles and dignity around the world. In different countries of the world, the pride of all ‘Shaheed Minar’ is standing tall.
Here are some International Mother Language Day Activities
Rally
The day shines in its own glory with the sincere cooperation of the teachers and the spontaneous participation of the students in every school and college. The day’s program begins at 6 a.m. with a morning walk led by teachers. Students wake up very early and come to school. After the presence of all the students and teachers of the school, the journey started with bare feet.
At this time, everyone gets a black badge on their chest. During the journey to the Martyr’s Minar installed in the school, everyone’s voice echoed – “Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February Ami Ki Bhulite Pari”.’ A solemn atmosphere was created during this time. As the morning procession reaches the foot of the Shaheed Minar, the students offer garlands one by one at the altar.
Prayer for the martyrs
The chapter on reclaiming the Bengali mother tongue was not so daring. Bengali got this mother tongue in exchange for many lives. Today, on this International Mother Language Day, all people should pray for the peace of the souls of those brave children who have acquired this mother tongue in exchange for their lives. Organizing prayer in memory of brave children. Praying for them from their respective places.
Funeral
Bengali has lost many brave children on International Mother Language Day. Those who fought for their mother tongue shed their blood. This mother tongue has been acquired at the cost of their lives. This mother tongue is celebrated every year on 21st February in different countries of the world. Mother tongue is an essential part of every human life.
It is through this mother tongue that we can express our feelings as we wish. To all nations, his mother tongue commands freedom. Therefore, a minute of mourning is observed in every country of the world for those who lost this mother tongue. All countries of the world organize this funeral.
Offering flowers at Shaheed Minar
In almost every country of the world, Shaheed Minar has been built to commemorate the martyrs who died for their mother tongue. Every year on International Mother Language Day, flowers are offered at the Shaheed Minar as a tribute to the martyrs.
People of every class of society with their families and children come to Shaheed Minar to pay respect to the martyrs. On this day, everyone goes to Shaheed Minar with bare feet and their voices have to be heard. “Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey Febuary Ami Ki Bhulite Pari”. And flowers in hand. Everyone paid tribute to the martyrs and offered flowers at the Shaheed Minar.
TV Shows
After Bangladesh became independent, February 11 was declared a public holiday. On this day, radio, television, and cultural organizations organized various programs highlighting the significance of Martyr’s Day. Newspapers of the country also publish special circulars.
Cultural Programs
Various cultural programs are organized on this day across the country to highlight the significance of Martyr’s Day. Various international personalities also gather in Bangladesh on this day. In schools and colleges, painting competitions are held as dance, song, and drama competitions. Prizes were distributed to the winners there.
Alphabets are painted on school, college, and university premises. Students complete all arrangements together. Everyone celebrates the day with joy. Various meetings and gatherings are organized where the significance and history of Language Day are highlighted. All the dignitaries give their speeches.
Book Fair
A book fair was organized at Bangla Academy on February 11. A book fair is organized throughout the month. Everyone goes to the book fair with their families and buys their favorite author’s book. If you go to the book fair, you can see many authors.
They are all present in their book stalls. This is like a language festival. Everyone gathers at the book fair to choose the book of their favorite author in their own language. Book lovers wait all year for February 11th. On this day they go to the book fair and collect their favorite book and also collect the autograph of their favorite author.
One’s mother tongue is one of the most cherished and perhaps the closest thing to all the people of the world. A day dedicated to honoring that language is observed with great enthusiasm. On this day, people all over the world enjoy the glorious practice of culture, tradition, and history associated with their language. Never before has such a massive celebration of languages been seen across the globe. This is like a language festival.
International Mother Language Day Quotes
Mother tongue and literary practice are closely related. To understand the true meaning of this statement, we must first understand the nature of literature. Literature is the imagination in our mind that we want to bring alive through language. Everything natural and natural in this world is beautiful. People naturally form literary imaginations in their own minds by thinking in their mother tongue.
So if a person is weak in his mother tongue, it becomes difficult for him to give shape to rich literature. Even if such literature is developed, it loses its naturalness and becomes weak, bypassing its beauty.
If you notice, it will be seen that the contribution of the mother tongue of the writer behind each of the world-class kinds of literature created in this world is the most. Because one can think softly or serenely in one’s own mother tongue, even if one has infinite knowledge in any other language of the world, due to the lack of emotion, that softness or depth of thought does not come. Over the ages, numerous writers have expressed their love and attraction toward the literary mother tongue. All the great sayings about the mother tongue have emerged in their sayings. I am going to present all those quotes to you today.
- “This universe can be expressed in very good words and syllables which is not one’s mother tongue.”– Tahar Ben Jelloun.
- “I always regret the loss of any language, because languages are the lineage of nations.”– Samuel Johnson.
- “A different language is a different vision of life.”– Federico Fellini.
- “You can never understand a language unless you understand at least two.”– Geoffrey Vian.
- “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” –Ludwig Wittgenstein.
- “Speak a new language so that the world will be a new world.” – Rumi
- “Being exposed to the existence of other languages increases the perception that the world is populated by people who not only speak differently from themselves but whose cultures and philosophies are other than one’s own. Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry but by demonstrating that all people cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try to understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now.
- “A special kind of beauty exists which is born in language, of language, and for language”. – Gaston Bachelard.
- “Language is wine upon the lips” – Virginia Woolf.
- “To have another language is to possess a second soul.” – Charlemagne.
- “If the English educated neglect, as they have been doing and still continue to do, as some do, ignoring the mother tongue, linguistic starvation will remain. “– Mahatma Gandhi.
- “It is a fact that no educational effort will be succeeded if it is not in Mother language day. It is a tough job to understand anything clearly in a foreign language. If you want to express your feelings about the importance of mother language, you can use these quotes on the importance of the mother tongue.” –Irina Bokova.
- “How many languages are there in the world? How about 5 billion! Each of us talks, listens, and thinks in his/her own special language that has been shaped by our culture, experiences, profession, personality, mores, and attitudes. The chances of us meeting someone else who talks the exact same language is pretty remote. “– Anonymous
- “Languages connect us and break down barriers when we unite to nurture the best in us and help each other succeed. Happy International Mother Language Day!”― Widad Akreyi
- “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to a man his own language, that goes to his heart “- Nelson Mandela
International Mother Language Day Message
The importance of the mother tongue in human life is unquestionable. Without a mother tongue, people’s existence may face a crisis. The history, tradition, and culture of a nation may fall under crisis. Language helps to express the emotions hidden deep in the human heart.
So the significance of a day dedicated to that language is also infinite in our social life. This significance is not limited to any particular caste or language group. Rather, it has crossed all borders and is globalized today in the current of cultural globalization.
By celebrating International Mother Language Day, people learn to respect their language as well as all the languages of the world. By this day people become aware of their nation’s traditions and culture. By celebrating the festival of their own language, every person’s mind becomes inquisitive about their language and the history of the nation.
Naturally, the entire human society is culturally enriched. Moreover, by learning to respect each other’s language, human civilization is initiated into the mantra of mutual coexistence. We need to remember that without mutual respect and peaceful coexistence the survival of human civilization is impossible.
The celebration of International Mother Language Day adds a feather to the crown of the struggle for the survival of human civilization and healthy culture. Today on International Mother Language Day, send an important message about the importance of the mother tongue on your favorite device.
- In exchange for the sacrifice of language martyrs, we got the Bengali language. So International Mother Language Day is in memory of all language martyrs.
- May the language martyrs live in the hearts of all Bengalis. Happy International Mother Language Day everyone.
- We will never forget those whose sacrifices we got the Bengali language. International Mother Language Day
- My pride, my hope, oh die the Bengali language. Happy February 21st. My language, my mother’s language, is proud to speak this language. Happy International Mother Language Day to all.
- A language is an accurate expression of character reference and the growth of its speakers. Language is the best way to convey what your mind wants to say. Happy Mother Language Day.
- We love 3 things the most – mother, motherland, and its language. I am proud that Bengal is made up of these three. Happy Great Language Day.
Happy International Mother Language Day Wishes
Over a long period, hundreds of thousands of languages and specific language groups adopting those languages have been developed to express people’s feelings in different regions of the world. Similarly, children of a particular group traditionally learn to express themselves through a particular language from birth which is their mother tongue. The mother tongue of any group or individual is not only a means of expression for him.
That particular language may be associated with historical traditions, historical culture as well as great emotions. Needless to say, language touches the hidden feelings of the mind and the emotions that will be associated with it. International Mother Language Day is celebrated around the world on 21st February every year to honor and respect the passion of people, the history, and the great culture associated with everyone’s mother tongue.
Many of us send greetings, quotes, SMS, and messages to our friends, family, and relatives on the occasion of 21st February. One of the reasons for sending 21st February greetings to everyone is to spread the importance of International Mother Language Day to everyone and remember with respect the people who sacrificed for our Bengali language and language.
It’s a big deal to talk to everyone in mother tongue because it’s that language! The language we fought and died for in 1952. Therefore, all Bengalis should celebrate the day with reverence and respect. And that’s why we have brought 21st February greetings,
- Learning a different language equals becoming a different person. Because the more you know about the language! The more you immerse yourself in the history of the language. You will understand the history of 21st February.
- As it is Mother Language Day, we remember the martyrs, who gave us a language. The language we speak. Even Acres have sacrificed their lives for a safe country for language. Happy International Mother Language Day.
- Language is the thing that holds a large part. Language is something that helps us convey our feelings. Say we love our language very much. We love our country very much. Happy Great International Language Day.
- It is our sorrow that we have lost our brave boys but it is our joy and pride that I have acquired a language of my own. We have earned the right to speak our language.
International Mother Language Day SMS
February 21 International Mother Language Day is an important day for us because the Urdu West Pakistanis wanted to make the state of this country aside from our mother tongue Bengali. So the students of Dhaka University and all the students protested for the state language of East Pakistan, at that time Rafiq, Jabbar, Shafiul, Salam, and Barkat were killed.
Therefore, on the occasion of 21st Great Language Day, you can send an SMS of 21st February International Mother Language Day to your classmates, by knowing the story/history of Language Day through SMS, I will always be awake with the love of the country like a martyr.
- There is a special kind of beauty that is born of language, of language, and for language. Feel the language. You will see that language also has beauty.
- Everything can change, but not the language we carry inside us, like a world more exclusive and final than the womb.
- How many languages are there in the world? How about 5 billion? Each of us speaks, hears, and thinks in his special language that has been shaped by our culture, experiences, professions, personalities, behaviors, and attitudes. The chances of us ever meeting someone else who speaks the same language are remote.
- International Mother Language Day is a moment for all of us to raise the flag for the importance of the mother tongue in educational endeavors, improve the quality of education and reach out to the unreached. The limit of my language is the limit of my world.
- A different language is a different outlook on life. I always feel sad when a language is lost, because languages are descendants of nations. Because a nation is formed from language. Similarly, Bengali is born in Bengal.
International Mother Language Day Status
February 11th is a glorious and traditional day in the national life of all Bengalis. The source of all the consciousness of the national life of Bengalis is this day i.e. 21st February. This is the historic day to establish Bengali as the national language. On February 1, 1952, Bengali has set a unique example in the world by giving his life to protect the dignity of the mother tongue.
To commemorate this day of Bengali bloodshed across the world, UNESCO has recognized it as “International Mother Language Day”, honoring the language martyrs, whose sacrifices have given recognition to the state language.
Therefore, February 11 is a glorious and historic day in the national life of Bengalis. February 21st is not just our mother tongue day anymore; Every year ‘February 11’ is celebrated all over the world as ‘International Mother Language Day. Every nation has a specific language through which that nation expresses itself.
The language used collectively by a nation as a medium of expression is called the mother tongue. In other words, the language that a child learns to speak and express from the mother’s mouth after birth is called the mother tongue. The social political and cultural development of a nation takes place through the mother tongue. So, mother tongue is an essential part or medium of expression for any nation.
February is language month! A month of respect and love. So, when the 21st of February comes, a different passion for the mother tongue works among everyone. Because this day is remembered for language. The day is observed by several names. Someone named Martyr’s Day, and someone named Language Day, and someone named International Mother Language Day.
On this day people share International Mother Language Day and 21st February status on their social media accounts for their family and friends. Many people like to write about Great Mother Language Day. To ease their suffering, we have brought 21st February status.
- This is our language in exchange for the blood of millions of martyrs. This is our language for the sacrifice of millions of martyrs. We are proud. We speak Bengali. We are proud our language is Bengali.
- Language has a different power. And that is that language can put taste and feel into words.
- There is a distinct feature of the Bengali language. Because the origin of the Bengali language is due to the souls of three million martyrs. So, everyone should love language.
- We are blessed to have 21st February. Because this day is called language day! It is called Martyr’s Day! It is also called International Mother Language Day.
- Among all the languages in the world, the Bengali language has the highest status. Because there is no history that any nation has given life for language. Three million people gave their lives for the Bengali language alone. Therefore, everyone should respect Bengal.
Speech on 21st February (International Mother Language Day)
The only beautiful way to commemorate the Great Language Day is with a speech on 21st February in the context of the mother tongue. On the occasion of 21st February, speeches and speeches are given in different places of the country, so the speeches of 21st February are shared below for leaders so that on the occasion of 21st February, the language day can be presented to everyone.
Those who are thinking of giving a speech on the occasion of 21st February can easily get that desired speech from this content today. In today’s essay, we have presented a statement beautifully. Hope you read the post carefully.
Because many people are looking for speeches on the occasion of 21st February. Many may know about it but not everyone is ready to give a speech. So, if you see us from here, your speech will become easier. By reading our post you can get a clear idea about 21st February. So read our complete post thoroughly to understand properly.
First Speech
Honorable Chief Guest, President, and audience present. Etiquette and Salam.
Today 21st February has appeared before us on the occasion of Great Martyr’s Day and International Mother Language Day. 21st February. International Language Day. Until 1999, it was better known as Martyrs’ Day. But in 1999 UNESCO declared it International Mother Language Day. No one could ever imagine that a person would have to give his life to speak his mother tongue.
February 21, 1952, has a place in the history of human civilization to a large extent.
The day when students sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue. The day known as International Mother Language Day or Martyr’s Day is 21st February.” International Mother Language Day is considered as a day of dignity in West Bengal and Bangladesh. by Bengalis and Bengali speaking people.
This day is observed as Martyrs’ Day in memory of the youths who were martyred by the police on 21st February 1952 during the students’ movement demanding Bengali as the state language of East Pakistan. Salam, Rafiq, Jabbar, and Barkat were martyred on this day.
21st February is the Great International Mother Language Day. We are the only nation in the world who have given its lives for language. Therefore, for the immense love of our language as a nation, UNESCO recognized language martyrs’ day as International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
Every year since 2000, UN member countries have been celebrating 21st February as International Mother Language Day with due respect. In the language movement of 1952, we often hear the names of five martyrs: Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar, and Shafiur.
Among them, Barkat and Jabbar were students at Dhaka University. Rafiq was the son of the owner of Badamtali Commercial Press. These three were martyred on the 21st. Salam and High Court employee Shafiur died the next day on February 22.
According to Oli Ahad, one of the organizers of the language movement, no one knows the exact number of people who died in the firing on Nawabpur Road and Banshal Road on February 22 around Victoria Park (present Bahadur Shah Park). Ahmad Rafiq mentions the names of Abdul Awal, Kishore Ahiullah, and Sirajuddin among those killed in his books twenty-one to seventy-one.
Therefore, everyone should respect and love language martyrs. Remembering their sacrifices. I conclude my speech with this.
Second Speech
Honorable President, Hon’ble Chief Guest, Attendees,
In national life, my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you at the beginning of today’s discussion on “International Mother Language Day”.
The importance of International Mother Language Day is immense in the national life of people living in Bangladesh. Twenty-one means not bowing down to superpowers. Names of twenty-one rebellions, revolutions, and struggles. ‘Ekush’ is a moment full of street marches, slogans, and agitations to speak the mother tongue.
On this day, the brave sons of Bengali mothers soaked the fresh blood of their chests in pitch on the streets and reclaimed the right to speak their mother tongue from the grip of the western ruling group. 21 February 1952 is a memorable and significant day in the national life of this country. And around February 11, the independence movement of Bengal began, and the country and the nation were freed from the chains of exploitation and subjugation.
Dear Sudhibrinda, the country called Bengal has attracted the attention of the world for various reasons. The first and foremost reason is that the struggle for language, sacrifice, and revolution has not happened anywhere else in the world. Analyzing history, it can be seen that every nation speaks freely and expresses its thoughts in the language it was born with.
Although there is no geographical independence, the freedom of language is the birthright of human beings, but the people of the world have observed it with wonder. Birthright to speak the mother tongue, students, teachers, intellectuals, workers, professionals, farmers, and laborers from all levels of Bengal have given their lives to the firing of the police, including Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, and Jabbar. Bengali’s mother’s chest is soaked with blood.
We know that in 1947, India was freed from British rule and two new states, East Pakistan and West Pakistan, were formed based on communalism. The governance of both Pakistan was in the hands of West Pakistan. They played the role of discriminatory policy and exploiter towards East Pakistan from the beginning. First of all, they conspired with Bengali’s beloved language “Bangla”. “Bengali” was the spoken language of 58 percent of the population of undivided Pakistan.
So, it was natural that Bengali would prevail as the state language. Dhirendranath Dutt first raised the demand in a session of the Provincial Council of Pakistan. But the ruling class showed thumbs up to Bengali’s demand for life and started discriminating by recognizing Urdu as the state language. On March 21, 1948, the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, announced Urdu as the sole state language of Pakistan in a public meeting at Dhaka University, and on March 24, he reiterated this announcement at the Curzon Hall ceremony.
On January 30, 1952, when Pakistan’s Prime Minister Khawaja Nazimuddin announced Urdu as the state language of Pakistan in a public meeting in Dhaka, the entire Bengali-speaking population erupted in protest. “Tamaddun Majlis” and “Bhasha Sangram Parishad” were formed.
With the participation of Bengalis from all walks of life, marches, and meetings filled the air of Bengal with slogans and it took its final form on February 21, 1952. The national language Bengali was acquired in exchange for many, many drops of blood, and many lives. Ultimately the ruling group was forced to recognize Bengali as the state language of East Bengal.
History does not end here. Efforts to achieve Bengali independence began around the age of 19. 1954 provincial election, 1962 student uprising, 1966 6-point based movement, 1969 mass uprising, and 1970 general election, the incredible success of Bengali has been achieved by focusing on Ekush. Bengalis have been organized mainly around Ekush and have developed the strategy of obtaining fair rights through movement and struggle.
As a result of the great liberation war of 1971, independent sovereign Bangladesh emerged. Therefore, the significance of Ekush in all aspects of national life is immense. February 11th is a memorable day with profound significance in terms of the socio-economic, literature, civilization, and culture of Bangladesh.
This day is the day of the establishment of the political and social rights of Bengali society. Today the world has recognized this infinite sacrifice and deep compassion for the mother tongue. The names of lakhs of martyrs are inseparable from February 1st, whose memories are eternally bright and immortal in the path of eternity.
Finally, I would like to say that a twenty-one is a strong tool against all disunity, conflict, and turmoil in the world, a lamp of hope in the stormy night of the sea that guides the right path. Ending reading here today with best wishes to everyone.
Third Speech
Respected, Honorable President, Hon’ble Chief Guest, Attendees,
In exchange for many sacrifices and much fresh blood, we got this Bengali language of today. Pakistanis wanted to make Urdu the state language. We are Bengalis, we can fully express our thoughts only in the Bengali language. We cannot express our thoughts in any other language the way we can express our thoughts in the Bengali language. Bengali is the language of our mother and the language of our soul.
So we could not accept that Urdu will be our state language. We could not contain ourselves from the procession that day. We went to jail, and got shot but didn’t back down. We have snatched our mother tongue from the hands of narcissistic Pakistanis. We were able to make Bengali the state language, we were able to get our demands.
Respected Sudhi, after many sacrifices, we have made Bengali the national language. But nowadays people are shy to speak the Bengali language. If we do not practice a foreign language, then our smartness does not increase.
We suffer from inferiority if we speak Bengali. We teach our children ABCD first. We don’t teach vowels, we don’t teach consonants. This misconception should be removed from society. We will increase our practice of the Bengali language. I will enrich the Bengali language. In this way, we will bring the Bengali language status as a rich language in the court of the world. Let this pledge be made today on the great twenty-first of February.
Thank you all very much.
Fourth Speech
Honorable President presents here, dignitaries sitting in front of him, my 21st February greetings to you all. Today is International Mother Language Day. On this day in 1952 Dhaka University Pakistani military indiscriminately fired on our students’ teachers laborers’ brothers. Its main objective was a blue plan to erase everything from the culture of Bangladesh and the history of Bangladesh.
A wise man has said that if you want to destroy a nation, first destroy its libraries. Destroy its language and culture. To destroy the Bengaliness of Bengalis, to destroy Bengali culture, to erase the history of Bengal, the Pakistani military fired indiscriminately on our students that day. But our students did not fear the firing of the Pakistani military that day. On that day, the Pakistani government issued Article 144.
Our students Samas, teachers, coolies, and laborers all came out to march that day in the name of Bengalis. No political party in the history of Bangladesh has been able to do that public gathering. Because the struggle of that day was non-communal and a struggle for Bengalis.Respected, in exchange for many sacrifices and many fresh drops of blood we got this Bengali language of today. Pakistanis wanted to make Urdu the state language.
We are Bengalis, we can fully express our thoughts only in the Bengali language. We cannot express our thoughts in any other language the way we can express our thoughts in the Bengali language. Bengali is the language of our mother and the language of our soul.
So we could not accept that Urdu will be our state language. We could not contain ourselves from the procession that day. We went to jail, and got shot but didn’t back down. We have snatched our mother tongue from the hands of narcissistic Pakistanis.
We were able to make Bengali the state language, we were able to get our demands. Respected guests, after many sacrifices, we have made Bengali the national language. But nowadays people are shy to speak the Bengali language.
If we do not practice a foreign language, then our smartness does not increase. We suffer from inferiority if we speak Bengali. We teach our children ABCD first. We don’t teach vowels; we don’t teach consonants. This misconception should be removed from society. We will increase our practice of the Bengali language. I will enrich the Bengali language. In this way, we will bring the Bengali language status as a rich language in the court of the world. Let this pledge be made today on the great twenty-first of February.
Thank you all very much.
Some Questions about International Mother Language Day
Why is International Mother Language Day celebrated?
On February 21, 1952, numerous language martyrs fought for their mother tongue. and only then did the Bengalis regain their mother tongue. international mother language day is observed to commemorate language martyrs and preserve the history of the language movement.
When was International Mother Language Day declared?
After much waiting, UNESCO recognized Mother Language Day at a general conference in 1999. And since 2000, International Mother Language Day has been celebrated worldwide. Source-Wikipedia.
What is the theme of International Mother Language Day 2023?
Didn’t declare yet.
Mother’s tongue is the mother’s language. As a mother holds her child in a bond of affection, so mother tongue binds the culture of a particular language group in the tender bonds of history. That is why our mother tongue is of utmost importance to all of us. We need to be aware immediately to protect this passion of ours.
Distortion and bad culture should be rejected by adopting our own history and language traditions. Along with globalizing the new generation, they should also be made aware of their own language and culture. We must remember that in practicing our mother tongue there is “comfort of soul, the joy of mind and peace of soul”.
Only if these goals are achieved will our celebration of International Mother Language Day become worthwhile. All people around the world should celebrate International Mother Language Day. Celebrate International Mother Language Day with your family.
History of International Mother Language Day Significance of International Mother Language Day and Encourage your children to celebrate International Mother Language Day. By this your children will learn to love their mother tongue and patriotism will be awakened in them. So, let’s all celebrate International Mother Language Day in memory of language martyrs. Happy International Mother Language Day to all. Thanks for visiting nationaldaylist.
