International Mother Language Day was celebrated in New York

UsaNewsOnline.com : For the first time in the history of North America, 21st February (International Mother Language Day) got celebrated in New York with the highest number of participation of several representatives of the USA Government.
On 20th February 2016, the First Hour of Ekushey February was celebrated in New York at 1:01 pm local time, which is equivalent to the First hour of Ekushey February (12:01am of 21st February) in Bangladesh. The event took place in 1st Avenue and 47th Street in front of United Nation, beside the sculpture of International Mother Language Day, where a temporary Martyrs Tower of Ekushey February was placed. From the Government of USA, Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia & Advisor to the President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders- Dr. Nina Ahmad, Commissioner Immigration Affair of New York Mayor’s Office- Ms. Nisha Agarwal, Queens Borough President- Ms. Melinda Katz, Regional Representative of the Office of New York Governor- Mr. Hersh k Parekh, Representative from the Office of New York Comptroller- Ms. Aliya Latif, greeted the event by placing floral wreath at the Martyrs Tower of Ekushey February.
From Bangladesh government, The Ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh in United Nation- Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Consul General of Bangladesh in New York- Mr. Shahmeem Ahsan placed floral wreath.
From United Nation, Senior Economic affairs Officer Dr. Nazrul Islam gave floral wreath.
On behalf of Bangladesh Awami league USA, Dr Siddiqur Rahman placed floral wreath at the Martyrs Tower. Other groups that came for placing floral wreath includes, USA Juboleague, Muktijudhdha Command Council, 71 Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Bangalir Chetona Manchya, Prajanma 71, Bangladesh club United Nation, Jatiya Samaj tantric Dal JAGPA USA, New York Gopal Ganj Society Inc, Jatiya Sramik League USA, USA Charta League, USA AWAMI Volunteers League, Several Bengali Schools, cultural and social organizations and many more.
People of all ages came in this event for giving floral wreath at the Martyrs Tower of Ekushey February. There has been an amalgamation of thousands people in this event. The event started with the Ekushey songs and other patriotic songs sung by USA Udichi group followed by a one minute silence for the Martyrs of Ekushey February. AT 1:01 pm the youngest children of the place master Ayan placed floral wreath at the Martyrs Tower, followed by PR of UN, Consul General and USA Government representatives.
The beauty of this event is that it has been carried forward by generation to generation. New York City is a great diverse area, and is now the largest diversified city in the planet, where around 131 languages are spoken at various schools, and people of more than 121 countries resides in this city. In the speech Permanent representative of Bangladesh to UN and Consul General of Bangladesh praised Muktadhara Foundation for conducting this event for the last 25 years. The Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia Dr. Nina expressed her gratitude for inviting her in this event. She said that the President of USA is really proud that Bengali Community is growing together with the main stream of USA. In the speech Commissioner of Immigration Affair Ms. Nisha Agarwal praised the Bangladeshi Immigrants for their secular mentality, and stated this event as a true international event. On the speech Queens Borough President said that we are proud that we are passing our languages, our tradition, and our culture to our children and they should follow the tradition and culture of their parents. She expressed New York a as a city of Historic folks, who wants to build their life here. She is excited that every time a parents will bring his child over this area and see the Martyrs Tower of Ekushey February, they can tell their children the history of their language, their people, and she was proud to represent New York City in this event. On the speech, the representative of Governor Andrew Coumo, Mr. Hersh said that he is amazed to see such incredible crowd, he did mention the struggle that is done to preserve the language, culture and diversity of a certain community. He also said that New York City is proud to be the home of so many immigrants, so many cultures, so many faiths, and the governor of New York, stands very proud in support of this immigrant community, and especially against those people that seek to tear down the people that built the state and built this country. He ended his speech by handing over a special message of Governor given on this event, to the PR of UN and Consul General. He also handed over the resolution of Governor on declaring 21st February, 2016 as International Mother Language Day in New York City to Mr. Hasan Ferdous, Advisor of Muktadhara Foundation.
The title sponsor of this event was Dutch Bangla Bank, followed by the platinum sponsorship of Bangladesh Bank, real estate investor Md. Anowar Hossain and SIBL and Diamond Sponsorship of NRB Commercial Bank.
Preserving our mother language is a very critical part maintaining in USA which is a diversified country. Diversity makes us strong. Honoring the language from where we come from, helps our next generation to understand the value of our mother language. Translation of legislative rules and policies of several governmental organizations in Bangla represents the importance of Bangla in United States. And the day is not far when not Bangla will stand among the second language of USA.