Inauguration of Mother Language Fest 2022 at Green University of Bangladesh

Every year, 21st February is observed as the International Mother Language Day worldwide under the recognition of UNESCO. The day marks the historic Language Movement of 1952, when several unarmed civilians of present-day Bangladesh sacrificed their lives to uphold the dignity of their mother tongue Bangla. In line with that spirit and to honor the struggles and sacrifices of our fearless martyrs, virtual Mother Language Fest 2022 is being organized by the Language Center, Green University of Bangladesh, from 21 February to 1 March, 2022.

The virtual inaugural ceremony of the Mother Language Fest 2022 took place on 21 February, 2022 at 6.30 PM on zoom. Ms. Serajum Munira, Director. Language Center and Assistant Professor, Department of English, delivered the Welcome Speech as session chair. Aftet that, Chief Guest of the event Prof. Dr. Md. Golam Sadmani Fakir, honorable Vice Chancellor, Green University, delivered an inspiring speech appreciating the organizers and declared the inauguration of the fest. Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Razzaque, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Advisor, Green University, graced the event as the Guest of Honor while the presence of Prof. Dr. Farhana Helal Mehtab, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Faculty of Law as Special Guest was inspiring for everyone. Ms. Sumaiya Afreen, Lecturer, Department of English and GULC, hosted the inaugural ceremony.

Right after the inauguration ceremony, the first event of the fest titled “Ancholik Vashar Lorai – Amar Jella-e Shera” took place. Hosted by Ms. Tanzia Mobarak, Lecturer, Department of English and GULC, here in this event, the students presented different aspects of their respective districts through talking in their own regional dialects. Students from different departments of GUB participated in this exciting competition and K. M. Wazed Kabir, Chairman, Department of English, Green University of Bangladesh and Dr. Abul Hossain, Chairman, Department of Sociology and Anthropology were there as honorable judges for this competition. Ismail Hossain (Noakhali) along with Md. Mahmudul Hasan (Jhalakathi) was declared as joint winner of this competition. Finally, Mr. Abdullah Al Masum, Assistant Professor, Department of English and GULC ended the ceremony with vote of thanks and concluding remarks.

A number of events will take place in the coming days of the festival which include: Presentation by the students of various indigenous languages, International seminar on “Indigenous Languages in a Globalizing World: Preservation & Revitalization”, “Deepabali – An International Student Symposium on Language, Literature and Culture (jointly with Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, India), an Intra-university quiz competition on Bangla spelling and a discussion session on folk literature of Bangladesh. The Mother Language Fest 2022 will end with a prize and certificate giving ceremony on 1 March, 2022.