International Mother Language Day

Introduction: The language people learn from their mother is called mother language. It is the language of heart and soul. People can express their feelings and emotions (আবেগ) through it easily. It is wholly related to their lives and livelihood. So the importance of mother tongue is very great.

History: The Pakistani rulers wanted to snatch away our mother tongue Bangla. They tried to declare Urdu as the state language. But our brave and valiant (নির্ভিক) sons did not sustain the declaration. They created a movement throughout the country. The police fired on them As a result Salam, Rafique, Jabbar, Barkat and many others were killed. At last, the conspiring rulers were bound to accept our mother tongue.

Today our mother tongue Bangla is recognised not only nationally but also internationally. From Canada Rafiqul Islam and Abdus Salam sent a memorandum (স্মারকলিপি) to Kofi Anan on 9 February as International Mother Language Day. Kofi Anan advised them to make contact with UNESCO.

Then Bangladesh officially sent a proposal to UNESCO on 9 September, 1999. The proposal was accepted on 17 November 1999 and this 21 February got its status. The declaration made by UNESCO regarding the day was that it would be observed every year as International Mother Language Day.

Conclusion: We should be committed to preserving the significance (তাৎপর্য) of the day at any cost. We should try for the development of this language.