Sabrina Hasan

21^st February is one of the memorable days for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as in the year of 1952  the heroic patriots of the country fought for the recognition of their mother tongue, Bangla. Sacrificing so many martyrs’ lives had brought the success of their fight and since then the country observes the day remembering the fighters’ sacrifice and praying for their souls. Later on, the initiative and the devotion have been recognised internationally when the UNESCO announced on 17 November of 1999 and formally recognised in a resolution establishing in 2008 as the year of International Language by the United Nations General Assembly. Since then the day has been observed internationally as the international mother language day to promote awareness of linguistic and multilingualism.

People of Bangladesh do not only observe day within the country but also around the world. No matter wherever they are, their gratitude for the country and for the martyrs leads them to remember and observe the day while residing out of the country as well. This year the continuance can be seen globally as well. One example can be seen from the Bangladeshi Students studying at the Xiamen University, China. Far from the country, family and friends, Bangladeshi Students of the University from different departments namely Maruf, Meraz, Mahmud, Zahid, Mahbuba, Zehadi, Konok, Nilima, Usha, Suza, Niloy, Omar and Sabrina have made a constant bonding in China living like a family; have not forgotten to observe the day. Finding a monument of the day which is known as Shaheed Minar might be difficult. However, students devotion encouraged them to made one by their own effort. Working together the night before the day and making the monument, students came out together early in the morning singing the murmuring song, wearing Black and White attire placed flowers before monument as the symbol of the graveyard of the martyrs and showed prayed for the souls of martyrs.

The students said that the day is not forgettable as the sacred sacrifices make them realising the love and patriotism that one could have for one’s country. The observance is not only for remembering the history but also to be encouraged to keep the sort of courage to have for one’s country. Representing the history of our country in a foreign country they also added “we are proud to be Bangladeshi and we do mourn, we do realise, we do pray for the souls of the martyrs”.