DHAKA, Feb 22, 2021 (BSS) – The Shaheed Dibos and the International Mother Language Day was observed in Bangladesh missions abroad in a befitting manner, according to messages received here today.
Marking the day, Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C. organised a webinar with the theme “Fostering Multilingualism in Education and Society” on Sunday.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam delivered the welcome address at the event.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay addressed the webinar while Director General of International Mother Language Institute, Bangladesh Prof Dr Jinnat Imtiaz Ali presented the keynote papers.
Speaking at the event, Audrey Azoulay said UNESCO has launched an initiative to translate more than 6,000 books in over 100 languages to enrich its world digital library which already offers free access to thousands of books, manuscripts, pictures and documents from across the world.
The UNESCO will celebrate a decade of indigenous languages from 2022 through 2032, she said and appreciated the commitments to this effect made by Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, and Jordan.
Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Senior Official for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment and Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the State Department, ShafiulAlam, former Cabinet Secretary and Alternate Executive Director, World Bank Group, and former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K Thomas participated in webinar.
Minister and Deputy Chief of the Mission at Bangladesh Embassy Ferdousi Shahriar moderated the webinar.
In New York, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations (UN) observed the day through various programmes, including screening a documentary on Amar Ekushey, observing one-minute silence showing respect to the memories and offering doa seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs, at Bangabandhu Auditorium in the mission on Sunday.
Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Rabab Fatima delivered welcome address at the function. Messages of the President, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out at the function.
Earlier, rich tributes were paid to the Language movement heroes by placing wreaths with Provat Feri at the makeshift Shaheed Minar set up at the auditorium.
In Paris, Bangladesh Embassy and the UNESCO observed the Shaheed Dibos and the International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.
Marking the day, Bangladesh Ambassador to France Kazi Imtiaz Hossain hoisted the national flag at half mast in the morning. Later, he along with the embassy officials placed wreaths at the altar of temporary Shaheed Minar and observed on minute silence showing respect to the memories of the language heroes.
Messages of the President, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out and video message of UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay was screened on the occasion.
Besides, a language exhibition and cultural event was held under the supervision of Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UNESCO where 28 member countries of the UN organization took part.
In addition, Bangladesh Embassy in Jordan, Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa, Canada and Bangladesh Embassy in Portugal also observed the day in a befitting manner with similar programmes.