শিলচর রেল স্টেশনের নাম পরিবর্তন করে হোক শহিদদের উপযুক্ত সম্মান প্রদর্শন
Bouquet of events to be oragnised by Bhasha Shahid Station Samiti to commemorate Language Martyr’s Day

May 17: Echoing a demand very close to its heart since the last decade, the Bhasa Shahid Station Shahid Smaran Samiti has taken in hand a bouquet of events to pay rich homage the language martyrs of 19 May, 1961. In this connection, a 3-day programme was chalked by the Samiti which will commence from 18 May, 2019.

On 18 May, 2019 the Bhasa Shahid Station Shahid Smaran Samiti will start their eventful programme in the afternoon with Rabindra & Nazrul Dance competition. The Samiti has dedicated the stage for the day in memory of the compatriot of ’19’, Shankar Roy. This will be followed by a panel discussion in memory of the mass leader of this valley Mahitosh Purkayasthya. The topic of discussion will be “The Role of Mother Tongue in the context of Crisis of Citizenship.” The programme powered by way2barak.com will be held at Silchar Railway Station premises. Prof. Joydeep Biswas and Advocate Dharmananda Deb will share their views on this topic.

The discussion will be followed by cultural performances by local artists. In this connection, a press meet was also convened by the Bhasa Shahid Station Shahid Smaran Samiti last week, wherein they briefed the media about the type of programme they are going to present. Speaking during the occasion, they reiterated their long standing demand of renaming Silchar Railway Station as “Bhasha Shahid Station.”

Speaking during the meet, Dr. Rajib Kar, Generak Secretary of Bhasa Shahid Station Shahid Smaran Samiti said that the declaration by Assam government during the presentation of state budget 2019 stated  about erecting of a memorial in honour of the language martyrs of Barak Valley, which he regarded as a very welcome step. “It’s indeed a matter of great pride to see the language martyrs of Barak valley getting due recognition from the state government. Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated in his proposal that the construction work of the said memorial will be completed by the next financial years,” said Dr. Rajib Kar. Artists from Kolkata and Bangladesh will also perform in the subsequent days.

Dr. Kar also raised the pet issue of the Samiti, that is, mass demand was raised to change the name of Silchar Railway Station to “Bhasha Shaheed Station, Silchar.” He said, “In the year 2005, mass demand was raised to change the name of Silchar Railway Station to “Bhasha Shaheed Station, Silchar.” This demand was moved to preserve the self esteem of mother tongue in Barak Valley. However, this was later on transformed into a mass demand with the support of every linguistic community and political parties.”

Finally, the Samiti was happy that the Home Ministry very soon (on 7^th November, 2016) issued an approval letter to the state government giving consent for changing the name of Silchar Railway Station to “Bhasha Shaheed Station, Silchar.” It was further stated in that letter that the Government of Assam should issue a notification about the spelling of the new name of the station in English, Hindi and Bengali and also send it to them. Dr. Rajib Kar mentioned that they have got enough assurance from the government in this regard. But these assurances turned out to be broken promises. Similar views were expressed by Babul Hore, President of the Samiti.

It is in this backdrop that demand of renaming Silchar Railway Station got its priority. Dr. Kar deposited full trust upon the state government and said, “We are hopeful that the state government will issue the respect the sentiments of the people of this valley and will very soon complete the formalities of renaming Silchar Station as “Bhasha Shaheed Station, Silchar.”