On February 21, 1952, students of the University of Dhaka launched a nationwide protest against accepting Urdu as the nation’s official language. That peaceful protest eventually led to several human losses. In order to recognise and honour this heroic act, the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) declared in 1999 that February 21 would be International Mother Language Day.
It is a day of worldwide observance aimed at promoting multilingualism and awareness of both cultural and linguistic diversity and every year The Sreepur Village marks this memorable day with a series of activities.
This year's daylong programme started with the hoisting of the national flag, followed by a cultural programme, a drawing competition and an open discussion.
All our mothers and their children along with every member of staff carried flowers in their hands and paid their respects to the language martyrs of 1952.
Life can sometimes throw unimaginable challenges at us, but it's the human spirit's resilience and determination that can lead to remarkable stories of triumph.
Lia's life is a testament to this spirit, marked by adversity, courage, and ultimate success. Lia's story draws parallels to other stories of perseverance, and highlights the crucial role of organisations like Sreepur Village in transforming lives.
Out of the blue, at the tender age of 13, Chia found herself sitting on a bridal stage, about to marry a man who was 35 years old. Her parents had arranged the match, finding the man from their nearby locality in Bhairab.
He was a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) businessman who occasionally sold vegetables and fruits on the street. Chia's aspirations and youthful dreams were abruptly interrupted by this sudden marriage. Instead of books, she found herself with kitchen utensils in her hands. She went from feeling like a princess to becoming a servant overnight.