Amar Ekushey

Those who sacrificed their lives for the dignity of our language demonstrated that a self-respecting nation could never bow down to the pressure that the colonial rulers exerted through deciding to ignore the language of the majority. That was the first step on the part of the Bangla-speaking majority population of the then East Pakistan to assert themselves for a just cause. It was a victory for truth and justice.

The Language Movement also created the intellectual platform to be used as the springboard for all progressive movements in the fifties and the sixties. It was the source of inspiration to the people up against the might of a repressive regime that cared little for the sentiments of the majority.

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Fifty-two years on, it is time for the nation to go for some soul-searching on the day. Have we really been able to live up to the spirit of Ekushey? Have the dreams of the martyrs been fulfilled? The sad truth is that many of our goals have not been attained. We have failed to pay due homage to the martyrs by upholding the ideals that they died for. Our progress in the education sector has not been satisfactory, a fact made clear by the slow progress in pushing up the literacy rate, and Bangla is still neglected in many areas of our national life.

The international community has recognised the importance of the event by declaring February 21 International Mother Language Day. Thus the glorious saga of sacrifice now finds its due place in the world at large -- beyond our frontiers. Let's vow to live up to the spirit.