Importance of Mother Languages in Today’s Scenario

 

Mother languages play a significant ruling within a global framework. There was a time when mother language carried tremendous encomiums. That was assumed during the time of Rabindranath Tagore and his later generations. One point we cannot deny about the value and importance of mother language in the modern age. Now with utter pity and remorse I find that mother language is given extreme credence to preserve noble legacies of mother language across the globe. My respected readers in India and Bangladesh must have had been able to comprehend that for what I write this article. It is regarding the observance of International Mother Language day which we are going to observe on February 21. It is for the cognizance of my readers to throw light about the day from multiple aspects.

To the common people International Mother Language day is known more as Aamar Ekushey. There are historical anecdotes deeply inclined with it.

Basically Aamar Ekushey is a day which commemorates the day February 21, 1952, when there was a massive student protest against the imposition of Urdu as the national language in erstwhile East Pakistan. If I retrace a little bit with another historical anecdote. India achieves independence in the year 1947 on August 15, which took place a day after the partition of India on August 14, 1947. On the aftermath of independence the newly Independent was bifurcated into two parts, India and Pakistan. Newly Independent Pakistan was divided into two parts, West Pakistan and East Pakistan. East Pakistan later on achieved independence from the clutches of West Pakistan rule once again in the year 1971 on December 16. Now in the subsequent paragraph let me state about continuity in observance of Aamar Ekushey and its impact on Bengali Literature.

After that every year there has been observance of Aamar Ekushey all over Bangladesh along with that of in Indian states like Tripura and West Bengal.
To throw light about Aamar Ekushey is not an easy task by this writer from West Bengal, India. Anyhow I shall try to throw light about the observance of the day. It was in the year 1948 the first parliamentary session of erstwhile Independent Pakistan was held in Karachi on June. When the first session of the parliament was going on, a sudden decision erupted in the mind of Bengalis of erstwhile East Pakistan that Urdu was supposed to be imposed as mother language of East Pakistan. This had enveloped in the mind of Bengalis severe annoyance. They developed a feeling that the noble sanctity of their mother language Bengali might have had lost their lustre forever. Where will the literature of Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, Ashapurna Devi, Narayan Gangopadhyay, Asha Devi, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shaukat Osman, Abu Bakar Siddiqui, Jibananda Das, Abul Monsur Ahmad etc would likely to be immersed into Bay of Bengal. As the movement of language fighters was in full swing. Dhirendra Nath Datta, Rafique, Salam, Jabbar, Shafique and Barkat were the mastermind behind the proceedings. It was from the year 1948 got spin off in high volume. West Pakistani authorities were trying their level best to pester upon ruling East Pakistan rulers for imposition of Urdu as their mother language. As the protest movement got carried on under the leadership of Dhirendra Nath Datta, finally the movement reached its highest level. In the year 1952 on February 21 there was massive protest along with skirmishes with the East Pakistani leaders. From the years 1952, 1961, 1965 which culminated finally in the year 1971 on December 16. It was a proud moment for the Bengalis along with Bengali nationalism.

Thus the then East Pakistan finally got transformed into Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh. Along with it Aamar Ekushey celebrations continued to be observed amidst communal amity and secular fervour. In the same manner the day used to be observed every year not only within the nation Bangladesh, but also in other parts of the globe. In the year 1999 on November 19, Aamar Ekushey achieved another international acclaim as International Mother Language Day under the auspicious of UNESCO. It was since the year 2000 the day started getting observed as the name stated just above.

Later on we find that of Aamar Ekushey (International Mother Language Day) is being celebrated in Dhaka, Kolkata and Agartala amidst the feeling of a proud moment for all the cultural loving Bengalis based in the above named cities. But interesting point to be noted is that Bengalis in other parts of the globe are very much enthusiastic about observance of the day.

The impact of Mother Language day might not be properly appreciated by the mass. Feeling is that Mother Language is dead, it has no value to the modern generation. But the professors of literature are very much concerned about the importance of Mother Language. That means in India apart from Bengali language other languages are equally important. Such as Spanish, Bengali, Mandarin Chinese, French, Portuguese, Hindi, Arabic, Urdu and Arabic. Among all the languages, Bengali and English catches paramount importance in the modern age. As per the thoughts of linguistic scholars, we always opine that mother languages cannot be ignored at all in India, Bangladesh plus other parts of the globe. If knowledge on mother language becomes sharp and profound, then knowledge in English will not only be helpful to improve mother language, but also acts as a cakewalk towards our success in life. In each academic discipline in India and Bangladesh plus rest of the globe. We find that the importance of mother languages are gradually gaining strength with the passing away of each day in our life. Even medical professionals in India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe all of us have to be well versed in mother languages. International Mother Language Day celebration might have had emerged from Bangladesh. Later on with the passing away of time we find the observation of the day has become deeply embedded in the hearts of humanity of India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe.

From the corporate and business points of view, it can be easily comprehensible to us the impact of mother language is profound. The reason behind it is deeply logical. In the modern business world the way sea changes are taking place. Business and economic analysis have now become deeply analytical and complex. In this regard separately we must analyse the impact of mother language in business and economic issues India and Bangladesh. Within the above nations, in perspectives to business and economic discussions we find that the speaking power of mother languages of India and Bangladesh stands of as profound significance.

Thus the key advantages of thorough knowledge of English and mother languages are stated as follow:
Thorough understanding of other culture of India, Bangladesh plus other cultures of the globe.
Understanding local markets.
Proper team work in any reputed corporate as well as other business houses of India and Bangladesh plus rest of the globe.
Development of creative pursuits.
Development of corporate team work.
Sharp sized innovation and creativity.
Satisfaction on the part of downward level staff for company’s productivity.

Bengalis in both India and Bangladesh are now deeply in a remorse mind regarding the current Bangladesh stalemate. It is since the month of June 2024 the dilapidation of Bangladesh began on a war footing. As already aware of it was since July 2024 and August 2024, there has been a massive and whirlwind political coup. Till date the impact of political coup has not yet ceased. Despite the current political turmoil in Bangladesh. I sincerely and dearly feel that poignant melody’ Aamar Bhaiyer Rokter Ranga Ami Ki Bhulite Pari Ekushey February’ still remains deeply embedded in the hearts of million Bengalis in Bangladesh, India plus rest of the globe.

It is already known to us that Aamar Ekushey Book Fair is still going on. Though it is going on despite the political disturbance. Anyhow the fair is going on with the absence of prominent publishing houses of India and Bangladesh. That is why the book fairs in both India and Bangladesh are now going with a sombre manner. In the Indian state of West Bengal the Kolkata International Book Fair will end on 9th day of February. Whereas the Aamar Ekushey Book fair will continue throughout the month of February.

So whatever the pros and cons of the situation might be. The impact of mother language is still there. My heart becomes badly crestfallen due to cranky setting up of Book Fairs in India and Bangladesh. From the available data of my archives I find that around 7000 mother languages are spoken every day. In this regard I feel Bengali and Hindi are mostly spoken as mother languages. This no doubt motivates the citizens of India and Bangladesh to be more devoted mother language with the objective to develop our thinking and analytical faculties. There are many citizens of both nations who might not agree to my above views. Due to severe financial pressures students are more focused towards English language. The objective behind it is nothing but to join the corporate bandwagon as early as possible. Otherwise delay in joining the corporate houses might not suffice at all in modern competitive scenario.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.