International Mother’s language Day in Bangladesh
International Mother’s language Day is a holiday in Bangladesh.
When is International Mother’s language Day in Bangladesh
International Mother’s language Day is celebrated on 21, February, 2023 in Bangladesh.
About International Mother’s language Day in Bangladesh
International Mother Language Day is a significant cultural holiday in Bangladesh that is celebrated on February 21st every year. The day is observed to commemorate the language movement of 1952, which was a significant event in the country’s history. On this day, people pay homage to the language martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of East Pakistan.
The language movement began in 1948 when the government of Pakistan declared Urdu as the only official language of the country, even though Bengali was the language spoken by the majority of the population in East Pakistan. This decision was met with widespread protests and demonstrations, which eventually led to the tragic events of February 21, 1952.
On that day, students and activists from Dhaka University and other educational institutions gathered at the university campus to demand the recognition of Bengali as an official language. The police opened fire on the protesters, killing several of them. The incident sparked widespread protests and strikes across the country, and eventually led to the recognition of Bengali as an official language of Pakistan in 1956.
To commemorate this historic event, the Bangladeshi government declared February 21st as International Mother Language Day in 1999. On this day, people across the country pay tribute to the language martyrs by placing flowers at the Shaheed Minar, a monument built in their memory. Schools, colleges, and universities organize cultural programs and events to celebrate the diversity of languages and cultures in the country.
Overall, International Mother Language Day is a day of remembrance, reflection, and celebration of the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Bangladesh.
History of International Mother’s language Day in Bangladesh
International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21 every year in Bangladesh and other countries around the world. This day is a tribute to the Bengali Language Movement that took place in 1952 in East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh. The Language Movement was a protest against the imposition of Urdu as the only official language of East Pakistan.
On February 21, 1952, students and activists organized a peaceful protest in Dhaka, the capital of East Pakistan, demanding recognition of Bengali as an official language. The police opened fire on the protesters, killing several of them. The incident sparked widespread protests and civil disobedience, leading to the recognition of Bengali as an official language of Pakistan in 1956.
In 1999, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingual education around the world. Bangladesh was one of the first countries to celebrate this day, and it has since become a national holiday in the country.
On this day, people in Bangladesh and around the world pay tribute to the language martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of Bengali as an official language. The day is celebrated with rallies, cultural programs, and other events that promote linguistic and cultural diversity. The day is also an opportunity to promote multilingual education and the preservation of endangered languages.
How is International Mother’s language Day celebrated in Bangladesh
International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21 in Bangladesh to commemorate the Language Movement of 1952, which led to the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of Pakistan. Here are some ways in which the day is celebrated in Bangladesh:
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Shaheed Minar: The Shaheed Minar, a monument dedicated to the martyrs of the Language Movement, is the center of the celebration. People gather at the monument to pay their respects and offer flowers.
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Cultural programs: Various cultural programs are organized across the country to celebrate the day. These include music, dance, poetry recitations, and drama performances.
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Flag hoisting: The national flag is hoisted at half-mast in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement.
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Processions: Processions are taken out across the country to commemorate the day. People carry banners and placards with slogans in support of the Bengali language.
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Language rallies: Language rallies are organized in different parts of the country to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting the Bengali language.
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Special programs in schools: Schools organize special programs to mark the day. Students participate in cultural programs and recite poems and songs in Bengali.
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National holiday: February 21 is a national holiday in Bangladesh, and government offices, schools, and businesses remain closed.
Dates
International Mother’s language Day will be celebrated in Bangladesh on 2023-02-21, 2024-02-21, 2025-02-21, 2026-02-21, 2027-02-21 in the comming years.
