The soul becomes calm - when I listen to Bengali songs. What a sweet word, what a sweet melody. My heart became full, when I speak my mother tongue. The heart fills with pride, for those - who have given their lives for the language.

Hello everyone,

I am Noyon Das, and I am excited to write about a significant day in the history of Bangladesh, 21st February. This day is celebrated as the Shaheed Dibas and International Mother Language Day. In this blog, I will take you through the history of this day, its significance, and how it is celebrated in Bangladesh.

History of 21st February:

The story of 21st February dates back to 1952 when Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan. The Pakistani rulers enforced Urdu as the official language, which was not accepted by the Bengali-speaking people of East Pakistan. The demand for Bengali to be recognized as an official language started growing in the late 1940s. However, the Pakistani authorities ignored it, which led to a massive protest on 21st February 1952. This protest turned violent, and several people lost their lives while demanding their right to speak in their mother tongue.

This day is now known as Shaheed Dibas, which means the Day of the Martyrs. It is a day to remember the sacrifice of the people who lost their lives for the recognition of Bengali as an official language.

Significance of 21st February:

21st February is not just a day of mourning but also a day of celebration. The recognition of Bengali as an official language paved the way for the Bengali nationalist movement, which ultimately led to the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
Moreover, UNESCO declared 21st February as International Mother Language Day in 1999 to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide. This day emphasizes the importance of preserving languages and the diversity they bring to our world.

Celebration of 21st February:

The celebration of 21st February starts with paying homage to the martyrs at the Shaheed Minar, a monument built to honor the people who sacrificed their lives. People place flowers and wreaths on the monument as a sign of respect. The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh, and people from all walks of life take part in various cultural events, such as music, dance, and poetry, to celebrate the language and culture of Bangladesh.

Moreover, different organizations organize seminars and discussions on the importance of mother languages, the preservation of different languages, and the benefits of multilingualism.

In conclusion, 21st February is a day of remembrance and celebration, not just in Bangladesh but worldwide. It is a reminder that language is not just a means of communication but also a vital part of our cultural identity. The sacrifice of the martyrs has brought about a significant change, and we must continue to preserve and promote linguistic diversity to create a more inclusive and tolerant world.
Love your mother language.
And thanks.