Bangladesh Embassy marks Martyrs, Language Day
‘Mother tongue akin to root of nation’
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: The Martyrs and International Mother Language Day is observed at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait on Feb 21, in a befitting manner. To celebrate the day, the Mission drew up elaborate programs which included National Flag Hoisting at half mast at the Chancery and Bangladesh House, recitation from the Holy Quran, reading out of messages and discussion with participation of community members.
The program of the Day began with ceremonial hoisting of the National Flag at half-mast. Mr S. M. Mahbubul Alam, Charge’ d’affaires, a.i. of Bangladesh Embassy, Kuwait hoisted the National Flag at half mast in presence of Embassy officials, officers of the Bangladesh Military Contingent to Kuwait, Bangladesh Biman and members of the Bangladesh community. Messages given by the Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister, and Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs, were read out by officers of the Mission. A documentary film, on the Martyrs and International Mother Language Day was also displayed at the program. A big number of Bangladesh community people from all strata of lives, participated at the program. Mohammad Anisuzzaman, First Secretary anchored the program.
The discussion program began with recitation from the Holy Quran. Deep homage was paid for the Martyrs of the Language Movement and freedom fighters who laid down their valuable lives for the causes of mother tongue and independence of the country. One minute silence was observed in honor of the martyrs of the Language Movement in 1952. In the discussion session, the speakers highlighted the history and significance of the day. They also emphasized on role of all to uphold our image and flourish achievements. They expressed their deep aspiration for continued peace and progress of the country and for wellbeing of Bangladesh community in overseas.
In his speech, the Charge’ d’ffaires, a.i. S.M. Mahbubul Alam paid his deep homage to the martyrs of the Language movement 1952 and the War of Liberation in 1971. He also paid deep homage to the Father of the National Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In his speech he highlighted the significance of the day mentioning that in 1999, the UNESCO has declared on Feb 21 as the International Mother Language Day and since 2000 the day has been observed as the International Mother Language Day in 193 countries around the world. He convicted that mother tongue is akin to the root of a nation and literature, culture, and self identity of a nation flourish through langue, and therefore, forgetting mother language means losing one own identity. International Mother Language Day signifies the multiculturalism and multilingualism around the globe, which at the same time glorify the history of language movement for Bangla in 1952. He said that Language Movement was the foundation of so many socio-political events and achievements including independence of Bangladesh under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He reiterated that as a nation we would not forget the supreme sacrifice of the Language martyrs and we all should love our beloved motherland and mother tongue with an unquestionable patriotism and without any prejudice. He urged the community members in Kuwait to get inspirations from the sacrifice of our great martyrs and to devote themselves to buildup the country through their patriotism and hard work. He also requested the community people to take care of their children so that they learn and practice pure Bangla. He categorically depicted the initiatives taken by the Government of Bangladesh to recognize Bangla as an Official Language of the United Nations. Finally he thanked all the participants at the program and requested all to ensure a peaceful co-existence of all Bangladesh nationals in Kuwait and to increase the image of own motherland overseas being imbued with pure patriotism and love for Bangladesh.