The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Milan observed International Mother Language Day on Wednesday, paying homage to the language martyrs.

In observance of the day, the Consulate chalked out elaborate programmes. The day’s events began with keeping the national flag half-mast on the Consulate premises.

Later, the Consulate officials placed floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar established on the premises, followed by a rally led by MJH Jabed, the Consul General of Bangladesh. They observed a one-minute silence there.

The messages marking the day from the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Director General of UNESCO were read out at the function.

The first phase of the programme ended with an offering of prayers for the salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs and the continuous peace and prosperity of the country.
The second phase of the programme included a discussion titled “Mother Tongue and the 4th Industrial Revolution (1710–1840)”.

Conducted by the Consul General of Bangladesh, MJH Jabed, the discussion was addressed by Stephan Ribis, the Croatian Consul in Milan; Manal Abdeldaim, the Egyptian Consul in Milan; Augastina Marota, a journalist at local news media La Gazzetta di Milano; and David Rosy, a journalist at La Stampa Estera.

Addressing the occasion, the speakers, expressing their utmost love and respect for the Bangla language and the language martyrs, said there is no alternative to flourishing the mother tongue to improve social systems and make proper use of modern technology.

Competence in multiple languages and cultures will help people meet the challenges of the next generation, the speakers added.