“Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will
serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education, but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.”
On 21 February 1952 the police in Dhaka, Bangladesh, shot and killed students who were demonstrating to have their language, that is Bengali, to be recognised as the national language in the country. In honour of the deceased students and the cause for which they laid down their lives, UNESCO saw it befitting to proclaim 21 February as International Mother Language Day.
21st February has become an iconic event for Bengalis all over the world. At one minute past midnight on 21 February, the President of Bangladesh arrives at the Shaheed Minar to pay homage to the language martyrs. The day is a public holiday and the national flag flies at half-mast atop all government and private buildings. All day and even the week long, television channels style their schedule focused around the theme of “Mother Language Day’. Shishu Academy and Shilpokola Academy, two notable cultural organizations in Dhaka, sometimes hold parades or other functions themed with ‘mother language day’ . Students and different cultural organisations join together in the language day walk or parade to remember the day. Book fairs are organized which actually remains for the entire month of February and witnesses a major readers-rush!
According to linguists, about 6500 to 6900 languages are spoken all over the world. Travel and Tour World wishes a very happy International Mother Language Day to all its readers!
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