Artists from eight countries join to celebrate “International Mother Language Day” at the Bangladesh Consulate General in New York 

UsaNewsOnline.Com, New York : Bangladesh Consulate General in New York observed “Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day” in a befitting manner. The national flag was hoisted at half-mast in the morning of February 21, 2018 in the premises of the Consulate General. Messages from the Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister and Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out. A special prayer was offered for the salvation of the departed souls of those who laid down their lives during the language movement in 1952 and War of Independence in 1971 and also seeking divine blessings for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country. One minute silence was also observed as a respect to the martyrs. A discussion meeting was organized in the Auditorium of the Consulate General on Friday, 23 February,2018. Documentaries on the International Mother Language Day was screened at the beginning. At the discussion segment, while paying rich tribute to the language martyrs, Consul General Mr. Md. Shameem Ahsan,ndc  in his  remarks said  that  International Mother Language Day has now become a day of celebration of linguistic diversity around the world. In this context, he recalled the contribution of martyrs including role of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the historic language movement as well as his speech in Bangla at the UNGA in 1974. He also underlined the significance of the language movement in the evolution of the national history culminating into the independence of Bangladesh. Mr. Muhammad Faruk Khan, MP, Hon’ble Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Chief Guest, while touching on the sacrifices of Bengalis for the mother tongue which eventually led to recognition by the UNESCO, urged expatriate community to come forward to establish “Sonar Bangla” as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.Other speakers included H.E. Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Bangladesh to the UN, Guest Speaker Ms. Brooke E Knobel, Northern Area Director of US Department of State, Keynote Speaker Dr. Fredrick A. Boswell, linguistic and former Executive Director and CEO, SIL International, Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, President, Bangladesh Awami League, US Chapter and Mrs. Zakia Khan, former Reporter and Broadcaster at the Bengali Service of the Voice of America (VOA). Mr. Md. Israfil Alam, MP, Mr. Fakhrul Imam, MP, Mr. Anwarul Abedin Khan, MP, Mr. Md. Ayeen Uddin, MP and Dr. Md. Abdur Rob Howlader, Senior Secretary of Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present, among others.The discussants spoke about the spirit of oneness in the celebration of the International Mother Language Day which they described as a powerful and inspirational manifestation of unity.The discussion segment was rounded off with a colorful multi-lingual cultural program. The stellar performance by the artists from the Consulate and Permanent Mission family, Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) and foreign countries (Bulgaria, India, Kosovo, Lithuania, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, and Philippines) enthralled the audience and manifested a unique harmony of the nations for the protection of cultural diversity. Anindita Kazi, granddaughter of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam jointly performed recitation with her husband Shaheen Tarafder and captivated the guests. US Officials, Consuls General, diplomats, civil society members, representatives from social and cultural organizations and a large number of the members of the Diaspora attended alongwith their families.The guests were served with traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.