21st February ।। International Mother Language Day..

Tahsib Ahmmed Tano, Foysal Ahmmed Taru, Mir Abu Shaleh Enayeat
YouTuve channel: / channel
21 February is a memorable day in our national history. We observe the day every year as language martyrs day and International Mother Language day. In 1947, India was partitioned by the British, creating the 'Dominion of Pakistan', which was two separate regions to the northwest and northeast of India. Even though the majority of people lived in the eastern part, where Bengali was the main language, the Dominion was in the control of the western part. In 1947, the western-based government had proposed Urdu as the only state language, and that it would be used exclusively in schools and in the media. This move caused unrest and protests in East Pakistan. In early 1952, the protests had intensified and the government imposed a law (Section 144), which banned any gathering of more than three people. On February 21st 1952, In defiance of the law, students began gathering on the University of Dhaka. The police enforced section 144 and arrested several protestors. This further enraged the crowd and when the students attempted to enter the building of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly, the police opened fire and shot dead four protestors. As a result there ware mass protest all over the country and the government had to declare Bangla as as state language. East Pakistan gained independence from Pakistan in 1971, becoming Bangladesh. To mark the language movement and the massacre, a symbolic sculpture, Shaheed Minar (Martyrs' Monument), was erected in the place of the massacre. On February 21st, the area in front of the sculpture is covered in flowers, left as a commemoration of those who gave their lives in defence of their language and culture. A popular saying on this day is "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulite Pari’ (Can I forget the 21st of February, incarnadined by the love of my brother?) On the day, the national flag will fly at half-mast in all government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations. Television channels will broadcast special programmes and newspapers may publish special supplements for the occasion. Two Bangladeshi expatriates living in Vancouver in Canada, Rafiqul Islam and Abdus Salam, sent a proposal to Kofi Anan, the then secretary General of United Nations. They requested him to declare 21st February as the International Mother Language Day. They added that the decision will honour and save all extinct languages of the world. As per their logical expectations Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina then took promote initiative by sending formal proposal to UNESCO. Finally, on 17 November 1999, UNESCO declared 21st February as the International Mother Language Day. The day is now annually observed worldwide to promote awareness linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Speaking on Language Martyrs' Day in 2020, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: "The International Mother Language Day is now a source of inspiration to all people of the world in establishing the truth and justice."

[@learnwithmazaharul]

Excellent

[@artonfire2020]

Awesome bondhu 🥰

[@wahidurrasman1744]

Great