In pursuit of reviving missing Bangla words

A month-long campaign, "Nikhoj Shobder Khoje", to encourage the young generation to reconnect with those Bangla words that have been missing from the language for a long time, was launched at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital yesterday.

Coca-Cola Bangladesh launched the campaign on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.

The main purpose of the campaign is to create awareness on the issue that many Bangla words, which were once used to enrich and beautify the language, are missing, and encourage people to be a part of this campaign to help popularise the idea of utilising the once used Bangla words. The campaign will run under the guidance of three distinguished experts: Eminent writer and academician Emeritus Professor Anisuzzaman, professor of Bangla department at Dhaka University Bhismadeb Chowdhury, and noted writer and novelist Anisul Hoque.

During the campaign, Coca-Cola bottles will showcase those missing Bangla words which were once a regular part of the writing and speech but have been missing for many days as not being practised anymore.

The campaign comprises several engaging activities such as rallies, postering, wall writings and quizzes while a website -- www.coca-cola.com.bd/21 -- has also been launched as part of the campaign. There will be fun games and quizzes with Bangla words on the website, where anyone can participate, play and win.

The participants are encouraged to submit missing or less used Bangla words on the website to enrich the collections of the missing words. Upon completion of the campaign, all the missing Bangla words collected from the website would be compiled together in a publication.

Moreover, Coca-Cola Bangladesh has also allocated a stall named "Nikhoj Shobder Khoje" in Ekushey book fair to enrich people's vocabulary of Bangla language.

As part of the campaign, dramas based on Bangla language will be staged at the Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, Jahangirnagar University, Jagannath University, Khulna University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, North South University, BRAC University, Independent University, East West University, American International University-Bangladesh, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, United International University and ULAB.