International Mother Language Day
The 21st of February is called the International Mother Language Day. It is a red-letter day in our national history. It is also called Shaheed Dibash or the Martyrs’ Day. Every year on this very day, the whole nation remembers the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Bangla, the mother tongue of the people of Bangladesh. On this day in 1952, the brave sons of the then East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) violated Govt’s order and brought out a procession. They demonstrated against the Govt’s decision that Urdu will be the state language of Pakistan. The police shot on the procession and some brave sons of our soil fell dead. They laid down their lives to establish the prestige of their mother tongue. After the incident the Govt. was compelled to grant the demand of the people of East Pakistan and Bangla became one of the state languages of Pakistan. This historical incident was taken into consideration by UNESCO. On November 17, 1999 the UNESCO in its plenary declared February 21 as The International Mother Language Day. After this declaration the day has got an international significance. Now it is observed all over the world every year to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity. Thus our national celebration has become an international event.