Remembering Amar Ekushey 2011 and International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999. It has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The date represents the day in 1952 when students demonstrating for recognition of their language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of the then Pakistan, were shot and killed by police in Dhaka, the capital of what is now Bangladesh. (Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/motherlanguageday)

In Feb 21, 2011, the students and staff of Perdana College participated in the national procession, marching in unison toward Shaheed Minar, a monument erected to commemorate that fateful and solemn day in the history of Bengali's struggle for independence. All the participants donned the elegant Ekushey T-Shirt designed by Sports & Recreation Club. It is a good occasion for us to remember our rich heritage.

Students and Staff in front of the Shaheed Minar (the monument located at the upper left of the picture)

Tens of thousands of people, Bangladeshis and foreigners alike, from all walks of life turned out for the the procession. During the procession the Principal of Perdana College was interviewed by the Shomoy TV channel. A snippet of the TV broadcast was captured below.