Unveiling of the Sculpture of International Mother Language Day 1st February in front of UN

New York : After inaugurating the Sculpture of International Mother Language Day at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in front of UN head Office, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Masud Bin Momen said, “By placing a sculpture of International mother language day in front of United Nation at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, a new chapter in the Heritage of Bangla Culture has been written.”
Among others, From the Executive Chamber of the Governor of New York, regional representative Haresh K Parekh, Special Representative from the office of New York City Scott Stringer Aliya Latif, Special representative from the Office of New York Mayor’s Hanif Yazdi, and World Council of peoples for the United Nations, Sherill Kazan were present from the main stream of USA Government.
In a commendation given by the New York Comptroller to Muktadhara Foundation, for more than twenty years of outstanding work representative and celebrating New York’s vibrant Bangladeshi American community, for sharing Bangaldesh’s culture and literature through events that bring New Yorker’s of all background together; for helping the City’s Bangaldeshi-American community grow and thrive; for its dedication to preserving and protecting linguistic diversity in New York and around the world; and for its tremendous contributions to the City of New York.
Other speakers of this event were, Consulate General of Bangladesh to New York, Shamim Ahsan, President of USA Awamileague Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, Ekushey award winner Jamaluddin Hossain, Renowned Journalist Nini Wahed, Designer of the Sculpture Khurshid Selim and from Bangalir Chetanar Manchya Abdur Rahim Badsha.
The event started with the Ekushey Song “Amar Bhai er Rokte Ranagano Ekushey February” sang by the local Bangladeshi American Artists. Also renowned American guitarist Mr. Nikk Polumpo played the Ekushey February song with his guitar. Local poet Johirul Islam recited Ekushey Poem. The event was hosted by Semanti Wahed.
The event not only gathered the attention of Bengali’s of New York, it was seen that people of United Nations and other offices around that area taking picture with the sculpture after their Office hour. They also expressed immense interest on the language movement of 1952.
This Dutch Bangla Bank Limited International Mother Language day Sculpture, designed by Khurshid Saleem and prepared by Mrinal Haque, will have a month long stay at the said plaza. The month long celebration events of International Mother Language day also includes Placing Floral Wreath at the Sculpture on 20th February at 1:00 pm New York time (which is equivalent to Bangladesh time 12:00am of 21st February), and the celebration will end with a two day Ekushey Book Fair on 27-28th February 2016 at the heart of Jackson Heights, P.S 69. Honorable Finance Minister of Bangladesh Mr. Abul Mal Abdul Muhit has been confirmed as the chief guest of the Ekushey Book Fair. Press Release.