Underscoring the need for further enriching Bangla, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for building massive awareness to avoid its distortion.
“We want people to know different languages, but in doing so there should not be any distortion of our language, and everyone should remain aware and cautious in this regard. Massive awareness should be created among people,” she said at the inauguration ceremony of a four-day programme marking Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day 2016 at International Mother Language Institute in the capital.
Education Secretary Md Sohrab Hossain delivered the welcome address at the function, chaired by Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, reported UNB.
Eminent economist and Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman presented the keynote paper titled “Ekushey February: Bangali Mononer Batighor.” Unesco Country Representative in Bangladesh Beatrice Kaldun and International Mother Language Institute Director General Prof Zinat Imtiaz Ali spoke at the function.
Earlier, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of those who lay down their lives for the sake of the mother tongue.
The education minister also handed over to the prime minister the Unesco document recognising the International Mother Language Institute as a Category 2 institute.