President Mohammed Shahabuddin urged all the Bangla-speaking people to be ever more mindful in its proper practice and in preserving its quality and dignity.
"Language is the foremost custodian and carrier of a nation's existence, heritage, and culture . . . As Bangla was earned through immeasurable sacrifice and the sacred blood of martyrs', we must be ever more mindful in its proper practice and in preserving its quality and dignity," he said in a message on the Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day being celebrated today.
In his message, the Head of the State stressed on developing proficiency in internationally recognized languages alongside Bangla to progress in harmony with the advanced world,
"I am confident that the observance of International Mother Language Day will contribute meaningfully to build a prosperous nation while shaping a sustainable future," the President added.
On the day, President Shahabuddin expressed his deepest respects to the language martyrs' -- Rafiq, Salam, Barkat, Jabbar, Shafiur, and all the unnamed heroes who made their supreme sacrifices to secure the right to Bangla as mother tongue.
Terming the historic Language Movement as a glorious chapter in the history of our emergence, the President said, "On the occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the people and ethnic communities of Bangladesh and to speakers of diverse languages around the world."
The President said in the aftermath of the Partition of 1947, despite the distinct linguistic and cultural identities of the two parts of Pakistan, the then ruling authorities declared Urdu as the sole state language.
This unjust attempt to suppress the mother tongue awakened a profound national resolve, as students and citizens of erstwhile East Pakistan, today's Bangladesh, rose in solemn defiance, he added.
"Through supreme sacrifice, they secured the right to their mother tongue, giving birth to our distinct national consciousness. The Language Movement was, in essence, a struggle to safeguard our national identity, individuality, and cultural uniqueness," said President Shahbuddin.
"It was the spirit of Ekushey that infused our movements for self-determination, our liberation struggle, and our War of Independence with boundless inspiration and unwavering courage," he added.
The President hoped that the spirit of Ekushey would continue to serve as a constant source of inspiration for people across the world in safeguarding their own languages and cultures. �"BSS
