AGARTALA, Feb 21 (TIWN): On the occasion of the International Mothers language day, flag hoisting ceremony was observed with pomp and gaiety at Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office on Sunday.

As a part of the occasion floral tribute was also paid to the Shaheed Minar to the martyr of 21st February and sprinkle flowers on the monument. This is a time for Bangladeshis to celebrate their culture, traditions and their Bengali national language.

4The prizes are given to those who made outstanding performance in language and cultural diversity. However, a rally was also organised from Bangladesh Assistant High commission office which moved across several parts of the city and ended at Sukanta Academy. Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office also observed International Mother Language Day.

 An official of the Assistant High Commission office said that people of both sides of the border speak the same language, write the same language and eat the same food, so it is a natural cultural expression to celebrate Mother Language Day. He further said that "The people of the state expressed their solidarity to our liberation struggle for which we are grateful to them. We are delighted that we have got an opportunity to share our culture with them." 

Tripura had accommodated over 16 lakh people from Bangladesh during the liberation movement in 1971, the number which was more than the original population of the state, he added.

However, on the occasion of the International mothers language day a discussion meet will also be held at RS Bhawan on Sunday evening to discuss on the importance of the day.

International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year on 21st February. The main purpose of celebrating this day is to promote the awareness of language and cultural diversity all across the world.

It was first announced by UNESCO on November 17, 1999. Since then it is being celebrated every year.

The date represents the day 21st February 1952 when four young students were killed in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, because of Bengali and Urdu language controversy. Languages are the most powerful way to preserve and develop culture and to promote it all across the world. Because of this unfortunate incident, International Mother Language Day is celebrated in all over the world, while it is a public holiday in Bangladesh.

In 1952, on this day, hundreds of students from Dhaka University took to the street protesting against the decision of the Pakistani government to impose Urdu as the national language for the Bengalis in East Pakistan (Bangladesh). The police opened fire on the students and several of them were killed in the incident.

The death of the students and the resultant agitation compelled the Pakstani government to announce both Urdu and Bengali as the state language of Pakistan on February 29, 1956. Since then, this day is observed in Bangladesh as 'Amar Ekushey' (Immortal 21st).