Though 21st February is celebrated throughout the world as ‘International Mother Language Day’, but for Bengalis, this day is much more than mere celebration. The day commemorates the historic ‘Bhasha Andolan’ in which five students laid down their lives for their mother language – Bangla – in clashes with the Pakistani police in 1952 in Dhaka which is now the capital of Bangladesh.
At the time of this incidence however, Bangladesh was known as East Pakistan and was under the control of Pakistan regime; Bangladesh, a Bangla-majority country came into being after separation from Pakistan in 1971.
In recognition of this significant sacrifice and contribution of the Bengali students, February 21 was designated in 1999 as International Mother Language Day (IMLD) by the General Conference of UNESCO to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism across the globe.
Durgapur Adda Facebook members decided to commemorate this significant historic day. This was indeed, the first programme, under the banner of the newly formed Durgapur Adda Young Association, formed by the members of Durgapur Adda Facebook group.
On 21st February 2016, Durgapur Adda Young Association (D.A.Y.A) took out a decorated ‘Tableau’ showcasing the essence of the ‘Bhasha Sahid Andalon’. Several key personalities of Durgapur, including the likes of DPL medical super and principal of Michael Mudhasudan Memorial College sprinkled flowers on the temporary ‘Bhasha Sahid Smarok’ erected on the tableau. The tableau made rounds of a vast stretch of the city of Durgapur spreading the message of the ‘Bhasha Sahid Dibos’
In three places – HUDCO More in Bidhannagar, Fuljhore More and Chaturanga Mela ground in City Centre, D.A.Y.A held cultural programmes in adoration of our mother language, Bengali. Members of the organization and also their family members sang songs, recited poems at all these three places. Some members recited self-written poems as well.
In the concluding ceremony at Chaturanga ground, Durgapur Mayor Apurba Mukherjee was present. He in his short speech appreciated Durgapur Adda Young Association for taking such a initiative in worship of the Bengali language.