By James Kon
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Dr Amninual Huq Mirza (L), UBD lecturer speaking at the
cultural programme. Looking on is Mr Habibul Islam
Bhuiya (R), Bangladesh High Commissioner.
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One of the children taking part in the competition.
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Yesterday morning a painting competition and a cultural
programme was held at the residence of the High Commission of
Bangladesh at Kg Kuilap.
The painting competition and
the cultural show were held in conjunction with the Language
Martyr's day and the International Mother Language day.
The painting competition was
divided into 3 categories - 6-years-old and below, 7 until
12-years-old and 13-years-old and above. Each category had a
different topic and their subject of painting ranged from
Bangladesh's environment to the Language Martyr's day incident.
Around 50 children participated in the competition.
The High Commissioner of
Bangladesh, Mr Habibul Islam Bhuiya was present at the function.
Also present was Dr Aminual Huq
Mirza, a lecturer from University of Brunei Darussalam, who
spoke about the historic moment on February 21, 1952, where five
people gave their life to get Bangla recognised as one of the
state languages apart from the Urdu language. The day was known
as the Language Martyr's day.
A majority of the population
used the Bangla language while only six per cent of the
population used the Urdu language, but the government had been
trying to impose Urdu as the only state language in the country.
In 1999, UNESCO declared
February 21 as day to observed by international communities in
order to pay respects to the martyrs of the February 21,1952. So
that day was also declared the 'International Mother Language'
day.
Sierra Leon has declared Bangla
as one of their state languages because the Bangladeshi Peace
Keeping Forces had built many bridges and roads in Sierra Leon.
To respect this good will, the government of Sierra Leon made
Bangla a state language.
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