Embassy of Bangladesh
Paris, France
Date: Paris, Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Press Release
Subject: Bangladesh Embassy in Paris observed the Shaheed Dibosh and International Mother Language Day-2018
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Paris observed the Shaheed Dibosh and International Mother Language Day 2018 with due solemnity on 21 February 2018. In observance of the day, the Mission organized a two-part programme at the Chancery, participated in discussion session organised by UNESCO at its headquarters and attended several events organised by the Bangladeshi community in France.
Programs at the Embassy
The observance of the day commenced with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast early in the morning at the Chancery Bangladesh Ambassador to France, His Excellency Mr. Kazi Imtiaz Hossain. All officers and officials of the Mission were present at the flag hoisting ceremony. Today being a working day in France, the second segment of the Mission’s program was held in the afternoon to provide opportunity to the Bangladeshi expatriate community to participate in the event. A make-shift Shaheed Minar was erected at the Embassy premise. The Ambassador along with the officials of the Mission first placed floral wreaths in tribute to the Language martyrs followed by the members of the community. Verses from the Holy Quran and Geeta were recited and a one-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the Language martyrs. Messages on this occasion given by the Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister and Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out for the audience.
In the last segment of the programme, a lively discussion on the significance of the day was held. Leading members of the community actively participated in the session. The discussants highlighted the background and significance of the Language Movement and International Mother Language Day and its relevance in today’s world. In his remarks, the Ambassador recalled with profound reverence who sacrificed their lives to achieve the right to speak in mother tongue profound tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and underscored the need to uphold the spirit of our language movement and of war of liberation. He also highlighted numerous initiatives of the government including setting up of International Mother Language Institute for the protection, preservation and promotion of various languages and introducing mother-language based education for Tripura, Marma and Chakma communities for children at pre-primary and primary level. He also called upon the expatriate community to use take additional effort to teach Bangla to their children.
Among others Mr. Abu Hena Mohd. Razee Hassan, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank; Ekushey awardee Mime Artist Mr. Partho Pratim Mojumder, France Awami League President Mr. Benjeer Ahmed Selim, General Secretary Mr. Mohsin Uddin Khan Liton, Vice President Mr. Abul Kashem and Mr. M.A. Kashem, all European Awami League Vice President Mr. Abdullah Al Baki, Bangla School founder Mr. Jamirul Islam Miah, and Mr. Amin Khan Hazari, Mr. Mizanur Rahman, Mr. Ashrafur Rahman participated in the discussion.
A special Munajaat was offered seeking Almighty Allah’s blessings for the eternal peace of the soul of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the language martyrs and for the peace, progress and prosperity of the nation under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A large number of expatriate Bangladeshis including freedom fighters, politicians, media personalities, socio-cultural activists, children and other community members attended the Embassy event.
After completion of the day-long event at the Embassy, the participants were entertained by traditional Bangladeshi food.
Program at UNESCO
In collaboration with Permanent Delegate of Bangladesh and International Organization of Francophone, UNESCO organized a seminar titled “Linguistic Diversity and Multilingualism count for sustainable development” on 21 February. Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO addressed at the seminar. Among others, Ms. Hyang-Soo Choi, Director of Division of Education for inclusion, peace and development of UNESCO; Mr. Evgeny Kuzmin, Vice Chair of the working group on Multilingualism of UNESCO; Ms. Véronique Taveau, Director of French Language, Culture & Diversity of International Organization of Francophonie. Bangladesh Ambassador underlined that the day bears special significance to the people of Bangladesh which promotes the cultural and linguistic diversity and multilingualism. In his remarks, the ambassador also highlighted the various proactive measures undertaken by the government for the preservation, protection and promotion of all languages in including the several ethnic languages of tribal communities in the country.
Bangladeshi socio-cultural events
A good number of Bangladeshi socio-cultural and political organizations like Ekush Udjapon Parishad, Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, Shommilito Ekush Udjapon, France Awami League, France Jubo Union based in Paris organized different programs including book fair, cultural events and placing of floral wreaths at the make-shift Shaheed Minar at different locations in the French capital to pay homage to the language martyrs. The Ambassador and Embassy officials also attended those events and placed flower wreaths to pay respect to the language martyrs.
Attachment: Six Photos of the Programs (below pages)
Photo 1: Bangladesh Ambassador to France Kazi Imtiaz Hossain hoists National Flag at half-mast at the Embassy on 21 February
Photo 2: Ambassador Kazi Imtiaz Hossain and Embassy officials place wreath at the make-shift Shaheed Minar at the Embassy on 21 February
Photo 3: Bangladesh Ambassador Kazi Imtiaz Hossain speaks at the International Mother Language Day Seminar at UNESCO HQs on 21 February
Photo 4: Bangladesh Ambassador Kazi Imtiaz Hossain delivers his speech at the Embassy on 21 February
Photo 5: Socio-political personalities attending at the Embassy event on 21 February
Photo 6: Bangladesh Ambassador to France Kazi Imtiaz Hossain; Mr. Abu Hena Mohd. Razee Hassan, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank; and Ekushey awardee Mime Artist Mr. Partho Pratim Mojumder are seen at the Embassy event on 21 February.