21st February is our Mother Language Day. It is a memorable day in the national history of Bangladesh. It turned into the International Mother Language Day when it was recognized by the UNESCO on the 17th November, 1999. It has become a red letter day in the world culture.
The day has a historical background. The then Governor General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah said in the Curzon Hall, "Urdu and Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan." This declaration raised the storm of protest in the mind of the people and the students of East Pakistan. This gave birth to the movements against the Pakistani aggressors.
On 21st February 1952 the desperate Bangalees or Bangladeshis advanced with determination amidst firing and lathi charge. In this movement Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shaflq and Jabbar sacrificed their holy lives for the cause of the mother tongue. Understanding the gravity of the situation the then ruling class recognized Bangla as a separate language for the Bangalees or Bangladeshis in the then East Pakistan (Bangladesh).
The national flag on the day is kept hoisting at half mast everywhere. People put garlands of flowers on the altar of the Shaheed Minar. The people organize social gatherings, where they honour their language and culture and hold literary competitions, draw Alpana on the roads, eat festive meals and listen to event themed songs ''Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February''
Condolence meetings are held before it. People deliver speeches and offer fateha for the salvation of the departed souls who sacrificed their lives for the mother tongue in 1952. TV and Radio channels put up special programmes. International Mother Language Day is now celebrated throughout the world including Asia, Europe, America, Africa, Oceania etc.
We, the Bangladeshis, are grateful to the UNESCO for this noble and worldwide declaration.
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