International Mother Language Day of Bangladesh 2014

February 21, 2014

International Mother Language Day (Bhasha Divas) observed across the world, with Bangladesh leading on February 21, 2014.
Theme: “Local languages for global citizenship: spotlight on science”.
Objective: To promote awareness of linguistic, multilingualism and cultural diversity.
The day assumes special significance in Bangladesh where scores of people, mostly students and teachers of the DhakaUniversity, were mercilessly shot down by the Pakistani army in 1952 in erstwhile East Pakistan.

The activists had protested against imposition of Urdu as the national language side-stepping Bengali – their mother tongue.
But the incident calls for celebration too as the protest sowed the seeds of home-grown nationalism that ultimately led to the creation of Bangladesh from the ashes of the Liberation War in 1971.

About International Mother Language Day

Observed on February 21 every year.
The Day is observed yearly by UNESCO member states and at its headquarters to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
On 16 May 2007, by resolution 61/266, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism.
It is commemorated in Bangladesh since 1952 where a number of Dhaka university students were killed by the Pakistani police and army during the Bangla Language Movement.

Importance of International Mother Language Day: It is the greatest weapon to express one’s feeling. Mother Language of one country is the sign of independence of that country.

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