Int'l Mother Language Day celebrated at SAU Delhi

Students of all eight SAARC nations studying at South Asian University (SAU), New Delhi observed International Mother Language Day on February 21. 

The programme began at the first minute of February 21 as the students hostellers gathered in front of the Shahid Minar built by SAU students under the supervision of Samapti Chakma, a final year MA student of Sociology. The students paid tribute to the Language Martyrs by placing wreaths at the Shahid Minar. 

The main programme began in the morning with an opening speech by Dr. Kavita Sharma, president of SAU. Students of eight countries presented a choral rendition of “Amar Bhai-er Rokte Rangano” upholding the spirit of Ekushey. The event also featured poetry recitation, songs and dances themed on different languages and cultures.

“We have thousands of languages throughout the South Asian countries and we are learning here how to pay respect to everyone's mother language,” said Shameen Manicson, a Maldivian student from the Department of Sociology. 

A visual documentation was screened at the programme. It was made by two Bangladeshi students, Sourabh Sinha and Amirul Islam Sujon. 

“We made it because we should let them (other students) know what actually happened in Bangladesh on February 21, 1952. This day is not only about our pride, joy and celebration, but also about the heartbreak for the Language Martyrs' family,” said Sourabh Sinha. 

The students from different countries made colourful posters for their own languages and posted these on the photo exhibition wall of SAU.