Know Some Significance and History About International Mother Language Day

21st of February is celebrated as the International Mother Language Day worldwide, as it was declared by United Nation in 2000.The main objective was to promote awareness if linguistic and cultural diversity and promote the Multilingualism.

This date has special significance for the Bengali's worldwide. The day also known as the Bhasha Dibas or Shahid Dibas in West Bengal and Bangladesh for more than six decades now. The idea of celebrating International Mother Day was an initiative of Bangladesh. 21st February is the Anniversary of the day when Bangladesh fought for recognition for the Bangla language in erstwhile West Pakistan.

India and Pakistan came into existence into 1947, the Muslim - Majority Pakistan was divided into two parts, though separated by 2,000 km. In 1948, Urdu is declared as the national language of Pakistan resulting in numerous protests from their Bengali- speaking neighbour to the east.

On February 21st, 1952 students from Dhaka University, in modern day Bangladesh, marched in protest over the year of denial face by the government. During the March, police have ordered the open fire on the students, killing many of them. East Pakistan declared its independence and became Bangladesh in 1971,with Bengal as their official language .

The song “Amaar bhayer rokte rangano Ekushe February/Aami ki bhulte pari… (My brothers gave their blood for 21 February/Can I forget…)” for remembering the sacrifices of Bangla People to make the Bengali as the mother tongue.

The unrest continues in Bangladesh, when the Bengali speaker campaigned for the right to use the mother language. Bengali become the official language of Pakistan in 1956 following the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Bangladesh became an independent country with Bengalis as its official language.

An International Mother Language Day monuments was erected at Ashfield Park in Sydney on February 19, 2006. There are some of the words that we will always remember martyrs of 21st February both in English and Hindi and words in five alphabets to represent mother languages on five continents where people live.   

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization choose a different theme for the day each year and it is marked in all the countries around the globe.

India and Bangladesh will celebrate the International Mother Language Day together at Benapole’s no man’s land.

By: Lakshender S Angras

Content: https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/international-mother-language-day