21 February, Port Louis, Mauritius

Bangladesh High Commission, Mauritius observed Martyr’s Day and International Mother Language Day with due solemnity and fervor. To commemorate the day, H.E. the High Commissioner, Ms. Rezina Ahmed hoisted the National Flag at half mast. Later on the messages by the Hon’ble President, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Hon’ble Foreign Minister and the Hon’ble State Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DG UNESCO were read out.

In the discussion and cultural program Mr. Mahfooz Moussa Cadersaib, Lord Mayor of the City Council of Port Louis was present as the Chief Guest. He said that International Mother Language Day is a glorious day for the Bangladesh. He also highlighted on Bangabandhu’s life long struggle and his guidance for consolidating language movement in 1952 from the imprisonment. He appreciated the contribution of Bangladeshi expatriate workers in the economic development of Mauritius and added that the workers adopt Mauritian language and culture very well and the Mauritian needs to learn from them as well.

In her speech, the High Commissioner, Rezina Ahmed said that the nation is indebted to the greatest Bengali of all times, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his legendary leadership, who mobilized the students demanding the recognition of their mother language, Bangla. It is a tragic history and at the same time a matter of pride for all Bangladeshis that we are the inheritors of these heroes who laid down their lives to establish our mother language and fought for the liberation of the country. She thanked all the students, who participated in the essay competition on the International Mother Language Day.

Aiming the background and history of the International Mother Language Day, an essay competition was arranged. At the end of January, a notice was issued. Thereafter, 37 essays were received in three groups. In this competition, students from different schools participated spontaneously in three age categories. All the participants were awarded certificate and the winners received crests. Parents of the students were present as well. They opined that such initiative was inspiring and fruitful for the new generation. Besides, during the cultural program, a dance was presented with a song composed on 21^st February. The documentary, “The Mother Tongue” (English Version) by Department of Films and Publications on the Marty’s Day and International Mother Language Day was screened. Around 200 guests including the Egyptian Ambassador,the Japanese Ambassador, Representatives from the Indian High Commission and the Embassy of Madagascar, the former Deputy Mayor of Port Louis, local dignitaries, members of the civil society and Bangladesh Community and personalities from electronic and print media were present at the program. At the end, all the guests were served with Bangladeshi cuisine.