Mother tongue is the key for a community to move ahead in life, says Asstt. High Commissioner of Bangladesh at Silchar

May 18: Without mother tongue, a community cannot move ahead in life; without mother tongue, its not possible to think freely; without mother tongue, the development of the thought faculty in human beings is not possible. Those who laid down their lives for the preservation of mother tongue is indeed a noteworthy incident. Those martyrs are the role model for a community. These were the words uttered by Dr. Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh on Saturday evening, while speaking during a programme organised by Sammilito Sanskritik Mancha at Silchar.

Dr. Monsur was was felicitated by Sammilito Sanskritik Mancha, Silchar during the programme of Language Martyr’s Day. Speaking during the occasion, Dr. Monsur said that every year the Government of Bangladesh gives a fund to all its foreign missions in order to observe Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti.

He said, “When I got invitation from Sammilito Sanskritik Mancha for the Language Martyr’s Day Programme at Silchar, I thought it a befitting opportunity to do the programme of Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti this year at Silchar instead of Guwahati. As such, I am here in this place where many persons have laid down their lives for protecting their prized language.”

It needs mention here that a cultural troop of 45 artists has come to Silchar to attend the programme of Language Martyr’s Day under the banner of Sammilito Sanskritik Jot of Sylhet division. Dr. Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur was felicitated with a citation by Sammilito Sanskritik Mancha (SSM) Silchar in presence of the artists of Bangladesh by the members of SSM.

This was followed by dance, songs and recitation performed by various cultural organisations of the town. Earlier during the day, colourful paintings were made on the road at Shillongpatty, Silchar by artists from different institutes. It was indeed a feast for the eyes to see such happy blend of colours.

It needs mention here that 58 years ago on 19 May, 1961, 11 persons were killed in police firing at Silchar Railway Station who were peacefully agitating for the restoration of their mother tongue Bengali as an official language and a medium of instruction in Barak Valley. Since then, in memory of those 11 martyr’s, this day is observed with great honour in Barak Valley.