21 February, Bangladesh 2023| International Mother Language Day | United Nations
10 min read21 February, Bangladesh, 2023 | International Mother Language Day | United Nations
Bangladesh
Bangladesh, officially the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is bordered by India to the north, east, and west, and Myanmar to the southeast. The Bay of Bengal lies to the south of the country. With a population of over 160 million people, Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
The history of Bangladesh dates back to the ancient period, when it was ruled by Hindu dynasties and Buddhist kingdoms. The region was later ruled by the Mughal Empire and the British East India Company, before becoming a part of British India in the 19th century. Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971, after a long and bloody war for independence.
The economy of Bangladesh has been growing rapidly in recent years, with the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growing at an average rate of 6% per year. Despite this growth, Bangladesh remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with a large portion of its population living below the poverty line. The country faces several challenges, including political instability, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure.
Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country, with a small Hindu minority. Islam is the country’s official religion, but other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity are also practiced. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, with a diverse range of traditional music, dance, and festivals.
Read More: বাংলা সাহিত্যের ইতিহাস
21 February, Bangladesh 2023
Bangladesh is also known for its natural beauty, with vast swathes of lush green forests, rolling hills, and meandering rivers. The country is home to several important wildlife reserves, including the Sundarbans, which is the largest mangrove forest in the world and is home to the Bengal tiger.
Despite its many challenges, Bangladesh has made significant progress in recent years. The country has made strides in reducing poverty and improving education, with the enrollment rate in primary schools reaching nearly 100%. Bangladesh has also made progress in the areas of women’s rights and gender equality, with a growing number of women entering the workforce and participating in political life.
However, Bangladesh still faces many challenges. Climate change is a major threat to the country, with rising sea levels and frequent natural disasters such as floods and cyclones putting pressure on the country’s resources and infrastructure. Corruption and political instability continue to be major issues, and the country’s political landscape is often characterized by tensions between different groups and factions.
Read More: বাংলা সাহিত্যের ইতিহাস ( ঈষৎ মধ্যযুগ)
In conclusion, Bangladesh is a country with a rich history and cultural heritage, and despite facing many challenges, it has made significant progress in recent years. The country’s economy is growing, and its people are becoming more educated and empowered. While there is still much work to be done, Bangladesh has the potential to be a major player in South Asia, and a prosperous and stable country for generations to come.
Geography: Bangladesh is a country located in South Asia, bordered by India to the north, east, and west, and Myanmar to the southeast. The Bay of Bengal lies to the south of the country.
Population: Bangladesh has a population of over 160 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Economy: The economy of Bangladesh has been growing rapidly in recent years, with the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growing at an average rate of 6% per year. Despite this growth, Bangladesh remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with a large portion of its population living below the poverty line.
Religion: Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country, with a small Hindu minority. Islam is the country’s official religion, but other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity are also practiced.
Culture: Bangladesh is known for its rich cultural heritage, with a diverse range of traditional music, dance, and festivals.
Natural Beauty: Bangladesh is also known for its natural beauty, with vast swathes of lush green forests, rolling hills, and meandering rivers. The country is home to several important wildlife reserves, including the Sundarbans, which is the largest mangrove forest in the world and is home to the Bengal tiger.
Progress: Despite facing many challenges, Bangladesh has made significant progress in recent years. The country has made strides in reducing poverty and improving education, with the enrollment rate in primary schools reaching nearly 100%. Bangladesh has also made progress in the areas of women’s rights and gender equality, with a growing number of women entering the workforce and participating in political life.
Challenges: Climate change is a major threat to Bangladesh, with rising sea levels and frequent natural disasters such as floods and cyclones putting pressure on the country’s resources and infrastructure. Corruption and political instability also remain major issues in the country.
Read More: বাংলা ভাষা ও সাহিত্য
Bangladesh & Bangla Language
Bangladesh is a country located in South Asia and its official language is Bangla, also known as Bengali. Bangla is the most widely spoken language in Bangladesh and is spoken by the majority of the population. It is also widely spoken in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam.
Bangla has a rich literary tradition and is the seventh most spoken language in the world. It is known for its intricate script, which is written from left to right, and is based on the Brahmi script. The script has evolved over time and has been influenced by various regional and cultural factors.
In Bangladesh, Bangla is used in various areas of daily life, including in the media, in schools, in government and legal settings, and in cultural and religious events. It is also the medium of instruction in most schools and universities in the country.
The Bangla language and culture are important parts of Bangladesh’s heritage, and are celebrated through various cultural events and festivals, such as Pohela Baishakh, which is the Bengali New Year. The Bangla language is also an important symbol of national identity in Bangladesh and has been the subject of political and cultural debates in the country.
History of Bengali language
The history of the Bengali language dates back to the 8th century, when it was a dialect spoken in eastern India. Over time, the dialect evolved and developed into a distinct language, and by the 12th century, it had become the dominant language in the region.
In the medieval period, Bengali was used as a literary language and was used in the composition of various texts, including religious and secular works. The language was also used in the royal courts and in administration, and by the 16th century, it had become the dominant language of the region, replacing Sanskrit.
In the colonial period, the British introduced English as the language of administration and education, and Bengali was relegated to a secondary status. However, the language continued to be used in literary circles and was an important tool for the expression of cultural and national identity.
During the 20th century, Bengali became a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage in the region, particularly in East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) and West Bengal in India. The language was at the forefront of the movement for independence from British rule, and after the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, Bengali was officially recognized as the country’s national language.
Today, Bengali is an important part of Bangladesh’s cultural and national identity, and is widely used in various areas of daily life, including in the media, in schools, in government and legal settings, and in cultural and religious events. It is also an important part of the region’s literary and cultural heritage, with a rich tradition of poetry, fiction, and other forms of creative writing.
Bangladeshi Official Language History
Bangla, also known as Bengali, is the official language of Bangladesh. The history of Bangla as the official language of Bangladesh can be traced back to the independence movement of the 1940s and 1950s, when the people of East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) demanded recognition of their language and cultural identity.
In 1952, the movement for recognition of Bangla as a national language reached a climax when students and activists staged a protest in the city of Dhaka, demanding that Bangla be recognized as one of the state languages of Pakistan, which then included both East and West Bengal. The protest, known as the Language Movement, was met with violence, and several protesters were killed by the police.
The Language Movement is widely considered to be a turning point in the history of Bangladesh, and is remembered as a symbol of the country’s cultural and national identity. It was also a key factor in the independence movement, which led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
After independence, Bangla was officially recognized as the national language of Bangladesh, and it has been used as the official language in various areas of government, including in the legislature, the judiciary, and in the administration. The language is also used in education, with Bangla being the medium of instruction in most schools and universities in the country.
In recent years, efforts have been made to promote the use of Bangla in the international arena, and the language is now recognized by the United Nations as one of its six official languages. The language is also widely used in the media and in cultural and literary circles, and continues to play a crucial role in the preservation and promotion of Bangladesh’s cultural and national identity.
Language Movement, Bangladesh
The Language Movement in Bangladesh, also known as the Bengali Language Movement, was a political and cultural movement in the 1940s and 1950s that sought to establish Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan, which then included both East and West Bengal. The movement was a response to the policies of the government of Pakistan, which sought to marginalize the Bengali language and culture, and to promote the use of Urdu as the sole national language.
The movement began in 1948, when the government of Pakistan declared Urdu as the sole national language, despite the fact that the majority of the population spoke Bangla. This decision was met with widespread opposition, and students, intellectuals, and political activists began to organize protests and demonstrations demanding recognition of Bangla as a state language.
The movement reached a climax on 21 February 1952, when students and activists staged a protest in the city of Dhaka, demanding that Bangla be recognized as one of the state languages of Pakistan. The protest was met with violence, and police opened fire on the protesters, killing several people. This event is widely remembered as a turning point in the history of Bangladesh, and is commemorated every year as International Mother Language Day.
The Language Movement was a key factor in the independence movement in Bangladesh, and helped to build national unity and to establish Bangla as a symbol of cultural and national identity. After independence in 1971, Bangla was officially recognized as the national language of Bangladesh, and the Language Movement is widely remembered as a defining moment in the country’s history.
Today, the Language Movement is widely celebrated as a symbol of cultural and national identity in Bangladesh, and continues to play a crucial role in the preservation and promotion of the Bengali language and culture.
International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day is an observance declared by the United Nations to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day is celebrated every year on 21 February to commemorate the Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh, which took place on that day in 1952.
The observance of International Mother Language Day was first proposed by Bangladesh in 1999, and it was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002. The day is intended to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting linguistic and cultural diversity, and to encourage people to learn about different languages and cultures.
International Mother Language Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, with events and activities designed to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. In Bangladesh, the day is a public holiday and is widely celebrated, with rallies, cultural programs, and other events taking place throughout the country.
The observance of International Mother Language Day is an important reminder of the role that language plays in shaping cultural and national identity, and of the need to preserve and promote linguistic and cultural diversity. It also underscores the importance of multilingualism as a means of promoting communication and understanding between people and communities, and as a key aspect of global peace and security.
Overall, Bangladesh is a country with a rich history and cultural heritage, and despite facing many challenges, it has made significant progress in recent years.
FAQ : 21 February, Bangladesh 2023
Ans: Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages, which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way. International Mother Language Day is observed every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
Ans: The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since 2000.
Ans: On 21 February 1952, a historic event took place in the city of Dhaka, present-day Bangladesh, that would become known as the Bengali Language Movement. On that day, students and activists staged a protest to demand recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan, which then included both East and West Bengal. The protest was a response to the policies of the government of Pakistan, which sought to marginalize the Bengali language and culture and promote the use of Urdu as the sole national language.
The protest was met with violence, and police opened fire on the protesters, killing several people. This event is widely remembered as a turning point in the history of Bangladesh, and is commemorated every year as International Mother Language Day. The Language Movement helped to build national unity and establish Bangla as a symbol of cultural and national identity, and it was a key factor in the independence movement that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
The events of 21 February 1952 continue to be widely celebrated and remembered in Bangladesh, and they serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting linguistic and cultural diversity. The observance of International Mother Language Day is an important means of raising awareness about the need to protect and promote linguistic and cultural heritage, and to encourage people to learn about different languages and cultures.
