Bangladesh High Commission Observing International Mother Language Day to Conserve Mother Languages
In an informal meeting with the Mother Languages Conservation (MLC) Movement members in the Bangladesh House, Canberra on 19 January 2013, HE LTGEN Masud Uddin Chowdhury expressed the views of observing the International Mother Language Day (IMLD) this year in Canberra to raise community awareness for the need of conserving mother languages. His Excellency informed the meeting that his office will take all possible steps to spread the UNESCO’s IMLD concept and will invite Diplomats of UN member Countries, Australian Government’s state and federal Ministers, MPs, and members from different linguistic communities, including Bangladeshi community to take part in an open discussion on IMLD as part of the observance of the Day. He also added that a formal “Provat Ferry” at 12:01am will be the part of the day long program to express our heartfelt tribute to the Martyrs who sacrificed their lives on 21 February 1952 in the streets of Dhaka to protect their mother language, ‘Bangla’. This will give an opportunity to those who missed this annual event as they live away from the Mother Land. His office will also build a portable language monument (Shahid Minar) for the community members.
Recognising the noble sacrifices of lives for defending language in Dhaka on 21 February 1952, UN declared 21 February the International Mother Language Day, following the decision taken by the 30th session of UNESCO in 17 Nov 1999. Since, 1950 at least 240 languages have been lost to the mankind and half of the 6,700 languages spoken today are in danger.
Acknowledging the mother language for cultural resilient in multicultural society, the High Commissioner Chowdhury told the meeting that Bangladeshis living in Australia need to work closely with all linguistic communities to lead MLC movement for spreading the IMLD concept to protect and conserve mother languages of all linguistic communities emerging onto the modern multi-cultural society in Australia.
The High Commissioner praised all Bangladeshis including the former High Commissioner His Excellency Ashraf-Ud-Doula, member of the Ekushe Academy of Australia and the former President of the Ekushe Academy, Mr Nirmal Paul for their great contribution to the movement of the Notice of Motion– International Mother Language Day moved in the Australian Federal Parliament by the Hon Anthony Albanese in November 2005.
The meeting that received a warm homely entertainment by the High Commissioner Chowdhury and madam Chowdhury was attended by Mr Nirmal Paul, Ziaul Huq (Bablu), Ajoy Kar and many others.
[the monument shown is the World’s first IMLD monument, Sydney, Australia]
