Spread Bangla culture, literature across world

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for paying special attention to further spread Bangla literature and culture in the world.

"We are Bangalees. Our cultural practices will also continue. We have to pay special attention so that our literature and culture could be spread further in the international stage," she said.

The PM was addressing a programme marking the distribution of Ekushey Padak-2020, the second highest civilian award, at the capital's Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

Hasina said though there was need to learn other languages, the own language (mother tongue) should not be forgotten. Those who stay abroad for different reasons would have to respect their mother tongue, she added.

"Ekush [February 21] has taught us not to bow down. Ekush taught us the sense of self-esteem."

Mentioning that the bloodshed on February 21, 1952, paved the way for Bangladesh's independence in 1971, she said, "Ekush is a very glorious day for us. We want our next generations to know this glorious history."

About the contributions of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the Language Movement, the PM said he had to face imprisonment and harassments time and again for going to wage the movement.

"Following his proposal, the Sorbodolio Rashtrabhasha Bangla Sangram Parishad [All Party State Language Bangla Action Council] was formed at the Fazlul Huq Hall of Dhaka University, comprising Chhatra League, Tamuddin Majlish and several other progressive student organisations on March 2 [1948] for the movement to get the recognition of Bangla as a state language."

Hasina said March 11 was declared as the Bangla State Language Demand Day and the day was initially observed as the Language Day.

She said one can learn about the role of Bangabandhu in the Language Movement from the Unfinished Memoirs of Bangabandhu where the Father of the Nation wrote how he waged the movement.

"But unfortunately once attempts were made to completely erase his name from the Language Movement."

The PM said "Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman" is being published in 14 volumes with reports of Pakistani intelligence over Bangabandhu submitted from 1948 to 1971.

The book would be a great source of history of Bangladesh. Four volumes of this book have already been published, she added.

No country in the world published intelligence reports given against their leader, Hasina said, adding that she was publishing the full reports so that people could know the truth as an ill-attempt continued for long to distort the history.

The premier said after assuming power in 1996, the then Awami League government had placed a proposal before the United Nations and sent necessary papers to the UN members to get the international recognition of February 21. The move was made in support of an initiative taken by late Rafiqul Islam, Abdus Salam and some others expatriate Bangladeshis.

"As a result, Unesco on November 17, 1999, unanimously recognised February 21 as the International Mother Language Day."

Hasina distributed the prestigious Ekushey Padak-2020 among 20 eminent personalities and an organisation in recognition of their contributions to different fields.

Aminul Islam Badsha (posthumous) was given the award for his role in the Language Movement.

Begum Dalia Nowshin, Shankar Roy and Mita Haque were handed the award for their contributions to music while Golam Mostafa Khan, SM Mohsin and Prof Farida Zaman for contributions to dance, performing arts and fine arts respectively.

Hazi Akhter Sarder (posthumous), Abdul Jabbar (posthumous) and AAM Mesbahul Haque (posthumous) were given the award for their role in the Liberation War.

Journalist Zafar Wazed was chosen for the award for his contribution to journalism, while Jahangir Alam, Hafez Qwari Syed Saifur Rahman Nizami Shah and Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute for their role in research, and Prof Bikiran Prasad Barua for his contribution to education.

Prof Shamsul Alam and Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman got the award for their contribution to economy and social service respectively, while Nurun Nabi, Sikder Aminul Haque (posthumous) and Nazmun Nesa Piari for their contribution to language and literature, and Dr Sayeba Akhter for contribution to medical science.

Each recipient was given a gold medal, a certificate, and a cheque of Tk 2 lakh.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid presided over the programme, organised by his ministry.

Cabinet members, PM's advisers, judges, lawmakers, foreign diplomats, littérateurs, poets, academics, writers, journalists, Ekushey Padak winners of previous years and top civil and military officials were present.

On February 5, the cultural affairs ministry announced the names of this year's Ekushey Padak winners.