Dhaka: Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today put special emphasis on preserving the dignity of the mother language and multilingual-based education in the era of globalization. ‘As a result of UNESCO’s recognition, International Mother Language Day is being celebrated all over the world today, which is a matter of unique pride for the Bengali nation,’ he said. The minister said this while inaugurating a four-day long programme marking the Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day organized by the International Mother Language Institute (IMLI) here.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister highlighted Bangla as the seventh largest language in the world and noted the prestigious place its literature and tradition hold globally. He mentioned the first international honor for the Bengali language achieved by Rabindranath Tagore with the Nobel Prize as a source of ongoing inspiration. Paying tribute to the language martyrs, Milon stated, ‘February 21 is the main motivation to protect our identity and cultural existence.’
Reviewing the current activities of the International Mother Language Institute, the minister acknowledged that although the institution has started full-fledged work after a long time since its establishment, progress is slower than expected, with work currently underway in only four out of the scheduled 14 languages. He urged those involved to be more responsible and sincere, emphasizing the need for rapid and effective steps to achieve the desired goals in multilingual education.
Ehsanul Hoque emphasized that language embodies identity, history, and dignity. He recalled the contributions of late educationist Professor Abdul Malek and poet Abdul Hai Sikder to the Bangla language. Milon stressed the importance of adequate budget allocation to preserve language and culture and sought the cooperation of international organizations.
Following the inaugural ceremony, the minister distributed prizes among winners of the Linguistic Olympiad. Norihide Furukawa, Head of Communication at UNESCO Dhaka Office, addressed the event as a special guest, with Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Rehana Perven presiding. Former teacher of the Institute of Modern Languages, Professor Abul Mansur Muhammad Abu Musa, presented the keynote paper.