International Mother Tongue Day observed in Tripura

International Mother Tongue Day was recently observed at the Kamalasagar-Tarapur border haat on the Tripura-Bangladesh border.

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Artists from the state's Sepahijal District and from Brahmanbari district of Bangladesh performed patriotic and folk songs, poetry and other cultural activities.

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"The International Mother Tongue Day celebration gives respect to all languages across the globe and was first declared in 1999. People of India and Bangladesh came together at the border haat to celebrate the event," said poet Akbar Ahamed.

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The Kamalasagar-Tarapur border haat joint management committee organised the programme.

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Hundreds of people, including government officials and security personnel from both sides participated in the cultural programme.

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"We feel that both India and Bangladesh are one nation as it was earlier and still we believe it. Accordingly, we meet each other and our relation has strengthened and on this occasion adds to our relation. I believe this day is being celebrated throughout the globe and on this occation the relation between India and Bangladesh is becoming stronger," said Sahin Mamun a visitor.

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Getting a chance to enter the border haat area on this special day large number of people from both India and Bangladesh also completed their quick marketing in the border market.

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They expressed that though such initiative the people-to-people contact increases and help in further improving the relation between the two nations.

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The shopkeepers at the border haat expressed that compared to other days their business has been more as large number of those who came to attend the programme also bought various items from the market.

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"I am really enjoying marketing as things are very cheap and variety items are available. I came here on the occasion of International Mother Tongue Day and enjoyed the programme and side by side doing little marketing from the foreign shops. The things are very good and buying them. This will surely improve the relation between the two nations," said Nurjahan Ahamed, a Bangladeshi customer.

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"Compared to other days today the business is fur better as large number of people from both Bangladesh and India have gathered here on the occasion of Inter National Mother Tongue Day celebration. This is a very good initiative and especially for businessman," said Prantosh Sen, an Indian shopkeeper.

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This day in 1952, police shot dead several persons protesting against the then Pakistan government's decision to impose Urdu as the sole state language on the people of erstwhile East Pakistan.

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Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar and Barkat died in police firing as they took to the street to intensify the campaign to establish Bangla as the state language of the then Pakistan.

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It sowed the seeds of subsequent movements for the country's independence from Pakistan in 1971.

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This year, the International Mother Language Day is being observed with the theme: 'Quality education, language(s) of instruction and learning outcomes'.