In memory of the martyrs of Bangladesh’s 1952 Bhasa revolution, Government General Degree College Nakashipara celebrates International Mother Language Day on February 21st each year to foster linguistic awareness and unity among students belonging from different socio-cultural background. There is hardly any space to doubt that the great martyrs like Jabbar, Salam, Rafique, Barkat, and others were successful in preserving the honour of their mother tongue when it came to a critical juncture when it was decided that the National language of purba Pakistan will only be recognized as Urdu. Unfortunately, we continue to have problems with the continued existence of our esteemed mother tongue today because of the dominating impact of the powerful languages.
Thus the poet says, Bina swadeshi bhasa/ pure ki monerasha (Without our mother tongue/Can we ever express our desires?) In light of this, our organization has set out on a noble goal to recognize the brave souls who battled for the recognition of mother language as well as to maintain its splendor.
We have a memento in the form of “Sohid- Vedi” in our college built in remembrance of the martyrs, modelled after the Dhaka University monument. On the occasion of Bhasa-Divas on February 21st,the memento of the Sahid- Vedi is adorned with flowers and garlands each year. Every year a state-level seminar is organized to celebrate the International Mother Language Day delving deeper into the topic pertinent to the importance of one’s own language in world that is severely chartered by the effervescence of language that is mostly utilitarian in nature. The seminars in the past years have dealt with subjects like history of language movement and its relevance in today’s world, language and its diversified nature, colonization and subsequent nationalization of language, Bengali language as a language of colloquialism and as a literary language and role of women in language movement. Along with the seminar presentation, under the assistance of IQAC a cultural program is also organized reflecting the glory of eparand opar Bangla and their language.
The program celebrates the success and majesty of our mother tongue in modern society with songs, recitations, lectures, dance, and dramatic staging. Numerous students from every track in our college enthusiastically participate in this program. Through a variety of cultural expressions, they show their love and respect for Mother Language. In the midst of the domination of foreign languages in today’s society, the guests invited to the program share their insightful remarks about the status and prestige of mother tongue. Additionally, they emphasize the value of mother language by constantly reminding us of the martyrs’ devotion to our dear mother and the sacrifices they made in order for us to never forget their sacrifices.
Apart from constructing the memorial, our college shows eagerness to respect Mother Language by introducing different add- on course in Bengali, like recitation and staging performative art from several piece of Bengali Literature. Those add on courses are aiming at improving the students’ skills in multifarious domains of Bengali language, literature and culture.
