The Bangladesh embassy in Myanmar has celebrated Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day on February 21 with great enthusiasm and fervour, bringing 16 different language-speaking people together.
The day-long program included hoisting of the national flag at half-mast, laying of a floral wreath at the newly built Shaheed Minar at the Chancery, and reading out of the messages of the President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister.
Besides, the embassy also screened a documentary, held a discussion meeting, and arranged a seminar at a reputed university.
The second part of the program included a colourful multi-cultural program with the participation of more than 16 languages from 12 countries, representing their diverse cultures through different performances, the embassy said.
The day, February 21, marks the martyrdom of the valiant sons of Bangladesh for establishing Bangla as the state language of then-East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1952. The day is also being observed around the world, as Unesco recognized it as International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
This year's theme for the day is “Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning.”
Bangladesh Ambassador in Myanmar, Dr Md Monwar Hossain, paid deep respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his reverence for the martyrs of the language movement.
He mentioned that the foundation of a secular, democratic, and language-based state system was laid down through the language movement.
Ambassador Hossain vividly portrayed the valiant role played by the then-young leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from 1948 to 1952 in establishing the rights of his mother tongue, Bangla.
He mentioned the historical background and significance of International Mother Language Day in protecting linguistic and cultural diversity and promoting multilingualism.
While highlighting this year’s theme, the Ambassador said that this day not only serves as a momentous occasion to honour our native languages but also recognizes the pivotal role they play in our cultural identities, communication, and heritage.
The embassy, in collaboration with the Yangon University of Foreign Languages, organized a seminar on “Importance of Mother Language” with the Ambassador as the guest of honour.
Professor Daw Wai Hnin, Professor Dr Yin Myo Tint, Dr Win Min Aung of the University, and Shihab Uddin Ahamed, Country Director, Action Aid-Myanmar, participated in the seminar as panelists.
The discussants highlighted the importance of mother tongues and strategies for their preservation and promotion in contemporary society.
Performers from India, China, Nepal, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Sweden, New Zealand, and the Bangladesh Community in Myanmar performed their indigenous cultural performances in the multi-cultural program.
More than 200 people, including ambassadors, other diplomats from 30 missions, members of the Bangladesh community in Myanmar, officers and officials of the Embassy, and family members, attended the program.
On February 20, the embassy, in collaboration with the Yangon American International School, organized a school program to increase awareness of mother tongues.