There exists in the world only one language whose right to be spoken has been earned through blood, and that language is our mother tongue - Bangla. The Bangalees have demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice lives for preservation of their language.
With such a proud legacy, we are blessed to identify ourselves as Bangalee. However, it is disgusting to witness the constant insult at and disrespect for our mother tongue in our own country.
We are gradually distorting our mother tongue in the name of modernity. Nowadays, a plethora of banners, hoardings, bill boards and electronic/digital displays have English contents. Furthermore, the prevalence of the English language is evident in the names of numerous educational institutions, hospitals, restaurants, businesses, and organisations.
The importance of English language in education cannot be denied. However, its widespread use has overshadowed the existence of the Bangla language, particularly at the university level. Names of departments in universities are now predominantly in English, making it challenging for many to understand their Bangla names. Those who advocate for naming departments in Bangla are often considered outdated.
Every year, on the 21st of February, the International Mother Language Day is observed. Various programmes are organised in educational institutions, including cultural events. Although songs commemorating the language martyrs are performed, the history behind the language for which individuals like Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Safiur and Jabbar sacrificed their lives is often forgotten by the present generation. This leads one to question whether we are truly carrying forward the legacy of our Bangla ancestors or merely assuming a false identity.
There are around 8.0 billion people in the world, in as many as 195 countries, who speak 6,909 languages. Among these diverse languages, only our Language Movement Day has been recognised as the International Mother Language Day, and celebrated globally on the 21st of February. Therefore, it is crucial for today's youths to have a comprehensive understanding of the rich history and heritage of Bangla language and devote their efforts to establishing its prominence globally.
Tareq Aziz
Student
University of Rajshahi
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