International Mother Language Day / 21st February

21^st February of the year is observed [পালিত] throughout [সারা] the world as the international Mother Language Day. The 21^st of February, a red letter day, is of special significance [মর্ম] to the people of Bangladesh. On this day of 1952, our great Language Movement took place. This day reminds us the struggle [সংগ্রাম] and sacrifice of the heroic sons Salam, Rafique, Jabber and many anonymous sacrificed their lives with a view to establishing our mother tongue as a state language. They protected our mother tongue in exchange of their blood. This day has given us the freedom to speak in our mother tongue. Since then we, the Bangladeshi observe this day with great admiration [শ্রদ্ধা] and solemnity [গম্ভীর]. It is also observed as a Language Martyred Day or Shaheed Day. On this day, people wake up early in the morning. They put on a black badge to mark the day as a national mourning [শোক প্রকাশ] day. The day is declared as the Govt. holiday and on this day the National Flag remains half-mast. They walk to the Shahed Minar barefooted with flowers and wreaths [পুষ্পস্তবক] in the hands. The offer flowers and wreaths on the foot of the Shahed Minar to show love and respect to the martyred heroes. They remain standing silently for some time. Many meetings and seminars are held. People also pray for the salvation [পরিত্রাণ] of the souls of the martyrs throughout the country in the different religious institutions. Considering [বিবেচনা] the sacrifice made by the martyrs, the UNESCO declared the day as an International Mother Language Day. It started in 1999 with the purpose [উদ্দেশ্য] of promoting [উন্নয়ন] linguistic [ভাষাগত] and cultural diversity [বৈচিত্র্য] and multilingualism [বহুভাষাবাদ]. Since then this day is observed throughout the world as recognition [স্বীকৃতি] of every one’s language sovereignty [আধিপত্য]. This day has a great impact [প্রভাব] on our national history as well. It paved [তৈরি] the way of our national sovereignty.