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.
We share with you a story of Sharifa, a mother who has had her fair share of struggles in life and who recently, along with her family, visited Sreepur to share with us her successes in life.
The sudden death of Sharifa's husband in late 2004 left her as the sole provider for her four children. With no one to turn to for help, Sharifa felt lonely, scared and desperate for her family's future survival.