Sheikh Arif Bulbon :A day comes round every year to remind us about the value of Bangladeshis to invigorate the pride of speaking Bangla language. That day is February 21, International Mother Language Day. We are reminded of our values through Ekushey February. International Mother Language Day, on February 21, is recognised worldwide and on November 17, 1999 it was announced as such by UNESCO and its observance was formally recognised by the United Nations General Assembly. This day has been selected as the International Mother Language Day because on this day in 1952, people of Bangladesh sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue. UNESCO, appreciating and acknowledging the unprecedented sacrifice made by the Bengali people for their mother tongue, choose February 21 as the International Mother Language Day. The International Mother Language Institute started its official journey from March 15, 2001. The International Mother Language Institute is a modern institution equipped with a world class library and modern facilities which enables researchers from all over the world to study and research all languages. Arranging national and international seminars, preservation of near-extinct languages is the main objectives of the institute. There is a monument named Language Martyrs’ Monument (Shaheed Minar) to pay homage to the language martyrs, which is situated in Dhaka University area. The monument was built by sculptor Hamidur Rahman with a height of 46 feet. To tribute in the memories of those brave hearts, millions of people give flowers in the Shaheed Minar. Not only Bangladeshi people, many foreigners visit just to experience the way Bangladeshi people give respect to them. Even several cultural programmes are organised in schools, colleges and Universities on this day. In Bangladesh, this day starts with parade, flag hosting and offering flowers at the Shaheed Minar at the very first hour of the day known as Probhat Feri. People go bare foot to Shaheed Minar to show respect to the martyrs. Many wear black badges to pay homage to the people who sacrificed their lives in order to save our language. The whole language movement was very much youth based as a large number of protestors were students of colleges and universities. Even in today’s life, this occasion holds a great impact among the youth. The youth are more concerned about their glorious part in the struggles people had to go through to give birth to a free nation. They observed this day spontaneously by taking part in cultural and social activities nationwide. Educational institutes arrange special competitions like reciting poems, debate and singing. Television and radio channels air special programmes focusing on this event and newspapers and magazines publish special supplements on International Mother Language Day. The biggest book fair of the country, Amar Ekushey Boi Mela takes place in February to celebrate the true spirit of Bangla language.
