Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observes Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day

UsaNewsOnline.com : Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC organized two-day long programme to celebrate the Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day 2015 in a befitting manner. The first day’s program began in the morning of 21 February with the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast in the premises of the Embassy. Bangladesh Ambassador to USA His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Ziauddin hoisted the national flag in accompaniment with the national anthem in presence of all the officers and staff members of the Embassy. During the discussion segment, messages of the Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister and the Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out on the occasion. In his speech, His Excellency the Ambassador paid tributes to the language martyrs of 1952 which includes, among others, Rafiq, Salam, Jabbar, Barkat and Shafiur. He also paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his immense contribution during the language movement in 1952 and founding of Bangladesh as a sovereign state in 1971. A special prayer was offered for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the language martyrs who had laid down their lives during the language movement in 1952, and also seeking divine blessings for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

Later on 22 February 2015, a discussion meeting followed by a colourful cultural programme was organized to commemorate the Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day at Bangabandhu auditorium of the Embassy. One minute silence was also observed to pay respect to the martyrs of the Language movement of Bangladesh.

Ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin, during his welcome speech, paid rich tributes to the language martyrs of 1952. He also recalled with deep homage the contribution of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was the founder of Bangladesh – the only state on earth based on linguistic identity. He also mentioned about the establishment of International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He urged all concerned including the expatriate Bangladesh nationals to work together for the betterment of our country and to share the correct history with our new generations abroad and encourage them to learn the language for which our brave sons had made the supreme sacrifice.

Dr. Joan Burton, Affiliate Professor and Director, Federal and Global Semester Programme of the University of Maryland also spoke as a Guest Speaker. She said that Bangladesh stood for a basic and universal human right – the right to speak and celebrate the mother language and the need to foster the diversity of world cultures and people through protecting and publicly valuing their unique languages, cultures and imaginative traditions. She opined that in a world in which globalization is rampant, it is important to join together to celebrate that diversity loudly and publicly through events like International Mother Langue Day.

A multi-cultural show followed the discussion session. Performers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Paraguay, Ukraine and Sri Lanka participated in the program and enthralled the audience. Members of Bangladesh Embassy family represented Bangladesh. Diplomats of other Embassies, representatives of social and cultural organizations, a large number of foreign guests and expatriate Bangladesh nationals enjoyed the program. The guests were entertained with traditional Bangladeshi cuisine. A documentary titled “My Mother Tongue” produced by the Department of Films and Publications, Government of Bangladesh was also screened during the programme. The Audience greatly appreciated the programme as well as the Bangladeshi cuisine.