Amar Ekushey: Use of Bangla at all levels not yet established

The youth of this country established the rights to their mother tongue Bangla on 21 February 1952, sacrificing their lives.

But the goal and objective of their sacrifice are yet to be fulfilled. The mother language Bangla has not been established at all levels yet.

Ekushey February, also known as International Mother Language Day, is a significant cultural and historical event in Bangladesh.

The 1952 Language Movement was not just a movement to establish the demand for language rather it was a great struggle to establish the self-identity of a nation.

People of this country began the freedom movement following the path of the Language Movement and an independent and sovereign Bangladesh was born in 1971.

UNESCO recognised 21 February as the International Mother Language Day in 1999.

This recognition increases the pride of Bangladesh globally and reminds us of our responsibility and duty to the Bangla language.

Yet, we still could not make the mother tongue as the medium of instruction at all levels of education, particularly in higher education and research.

Many books on higher education including science, engineering and medicine are not available in Bangla.

After independence, the education commission led Dr Muhammad Qudrat-A-Khuda proposed to introduce a unified education system at the primary level, but it was not implemented yet. There are currently four educational tracks at the primary level.

Bangla is still an outcast in the top court despite the use of Bangla at the government offices and the lower court.

English dominates in various fields, including trade and commerce, and higher education and research.

If we want to establish the dignity of our mother tongue, the rights of people of other languages must be established.

The International Mother Language Institute was established to introduce the people of Bangladesh to the people of various other languages, as well as to research and practice those languages.

It was an enormous initiative, but activities of the institute are limited to formalities to many extents, and that is in no way wanted.

Again, if we become truly respectful to language martyrs, then we must not limit the 21 February to rites and rituals, but must realise its meaning.

The dignity of Bangla must be established at all levels in the country. We will learn any language, if necessary, but not by neglecting our mother tongue.