Write a letter to your aforesaid friend in the USA expressing your joys for declaration of the 21st February as International Mother Language Day by the UNESCO.
24 Bailey Road, Dhaka.
January 30, 2020
My dear Salim,
Sincerely yours
Rahman
The 21st of February has been declared as International Mother Language Day by the UNESCO. This has given you a great deal of joy. Salim, a friend of yours lives in the USA. You would like to express your joys to him.
24 Bailey Road, Dhaka.
January 30, 2020
My dear Salim,
I wish I could fly to you to give you happy news today. I am in an ecstasy of delight. The reason for my overwhelming joy is that 21st Feb. has been declared by the UNESCO as the International Mother Language Day. It is a rare honour and prestige that Bangladesh has obtained. It has increased the image of the country at home and abroad and enhanced the prestige of our mother tongue all over the world. The feeling for mother tongue has also increased more than ever due to this international acceptance. Various organisations both government and non-government now celebrate this historic day with more enthusiasm and fervour.
The acceptance of 21st February as International Mother Language Day has its historical background. Two Bangladeshi nationals Mr Rafiqul Islam and Mr Abdus Salam living in Canada along with other friends have formed an association there named ‘Mother Tongue of the World’. Through this association, they wrote to Mr Kafi Anan, the Secretary-General of the UNO, in January 1999, with fervent request to recognise 21st February as International Mother Language Day. Kafi Anan advised them to write to UNESCO. They wrote to the UNESCO. Again the UNESCO advised them to apply through Bangladesh govt. They took it seriously and applied properly. In this way, the process of recognition of 21st February as Internation Mother Language Day was completed.
On this auspicious day, 21st February, we recall the memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement, Salam, Jabbar, Rafique, Barkat and others by giving flowers and wreaths at the Shaheed Minar barefooted and singing the song ‘Amar Bhayer Rakte Rangano’. No more today. Hoping to meet you soon.
Sincerely yours
Rahman