Rangpur: A solo lecture on Indigenous Language Rights was held at the ‘Garon Art Gallery and Research Center’ located on the College Road area in the divisional city today. The intellectual thought platform ‘Atmasabha’ organized the one-on-one lecture on indigenous language rights. Indigenous students studying at Begum Rokeya University, Carmichael College, and various educational institutions, as well as local cultural figures, rights activists, writers, journalists, and teachers, attended the event.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Garo poet and researcher Himel Richil delivered his speech titled ‘Ethno-linguistic Language: Indigenous Rights and Cultural Existence’ at the solo lecture. In his speech, he highlighted various aspects of the language and cultural crisis of the indigenous people, overcoming the crisis, and the potential of diverse traditions in preserving indigenous languages and cultures. He emphasized the use of modern information technology to protect indigenous languages and cultures, advocating for the creation of content on indigenous languages, literature, and culture through all technological means, including social media and AI.
Addressing the audience, Rangpur District President of SUJON, Khandaker Fakhrul Anam Benju, called for state sponsorship to protect indigenous languages. Principal Nazrul Islam Haqqani stressed the need for educational opportunities in indigenous languages and proposed the establishment of educational institutions in plains, hills, and indigenous-dominated areas. Poet and essayist Abdur Razzaque praised the event for its motivational impact on preserving tribal identity and language.
Tribal leader Samun Khalko remarked on the event’s role in inspiring the youth of different ethnicities in the northern region to renew their fighting spirit. Various attendees, including rights activist Ashok Sarkar, photographer Firoz Chowdhury, artist Anik Reza, Khaishya Ang Marma, and Rina Murmu, shared their perspectives.
Mir Ravi, a poet and thinker from ‘Atmasabha’, highlighted the significance of language as the foundation of a society’s culture. Poet Ahmed Moudud expressed hope that the event would enlighten the state and policymakers to implement the aspirations of indigenous communities. Poet Qayyum Khan outlined the platform’s commitment to intellectual activities centered on social, cultural, political, language, and literature-focused events.
The program concluded with performances of indigenous music by artists Israt Jahan Kakon and Shyamoli Hosda, followed by the tunes of Neon Chakma on the guitar.