West Bengal celebrated International Mother Language Day on Friday with fervour and paid homage to those who had sacrificed their lives with an aim to provide an identity for the Bengali language.
Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh Abida Islam organised a march with banners and placards in the Kolkata in memory of those who died in the struggle to make Bengali the state language.
"International Mother Language Day is a significant day in our national history because on February 21, 1952 so many people laid down their lives for establishing Bengali as their mother language," said Islam
"To give it an international touch we have invited all the consul generals and also the honorary consuls. We have received quite a spontaneous response from them. Eight of the consulates here will be participating in afternoon's programme," added Islam.
The Bangla Language Movement of February 21, 1952 was a unique movement aimed at advocating the recognition of Bangla language as the state's official language, allowing it to be used by the government.
The march witnessed participation not only from Bangladesh and India, but will also be graced by the presence of consuls of eight countries in India.
The sacrifice made by the students on February 21, 1952 became the inspiration Bengalis needed in their struggle to establish the only nation named after its language, Bangladesh.
