DHARMANAGAR, Feb 21 (TIWN) : Along with the whole state International Mother Language Day has been observed at Dharmanagar subdivision on Sunday.

The main programme was held at Dharmanagar Town Hall and reportedly students from various schools had joined in together to pay respect to the martyrs.

Minister Bijita Nath along with other dignitaries were present and paid floral tribute to the martyrs. School students regardless Tribal and Bengalies all participated  in colourful rally.

International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year on 21st February in Tripura. 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.

In 1947 at the time of partition of Pakistan, the province Bengal was divided into two parts: the western part became India and the eastern part is known as East Bengal which was later known as East Pakistan. At that time there were many economic, social and cultural issues including linguistic issue.

 In 1948 when government announced Urdu as the national language it sparked the protest among the Bengali speaking majority of Pakistan. The protest got out of control and ended with the death of four protestors of the University of Dhaka who were shot by the police.

The students' deaths during the fight for their mother language are now remembered as The International Mother Language Day.

However, apart from North Tripura, the whole state is observing the occasion for the sake of paying respect to those martyrs who dedicated their lives for  their “Mother-Tongue”.