State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam today reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment towards a “more inclusive and equitable” world, where every language is valued and respected.

“Our world is incredibly diverse, with people from different cultures and linguistic backgrounds living and working together. However, this diversity can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, which can create division and tension,” he said.

“It is crucial that we work towards creating cultural and linguistic harmony. May the spirit of February 21 be transfused among all,” he added.

Shahriar Alam was speaking at a programme on the occasion of Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day. 

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy and members of the diplomatic community were present at the event. 

The state minister said victory in the Language Movement motivated Bengalis to fight for the independence of Bangladesh. 

Post 1952, all the milestones of our history – six-point demand of 1966, mass upsurge of 1969, Awami League winning absolute majority in the 1970 Pakistan national election, and finally independence in 1971 – were influenced by the spirit and ideals which represent the Language Movement. 

“Possibly, we are the only nation in the world to sacrifice lives for the dignity of our mother language. A rare example was set by the brave sons of our motherland. To our advantage, the Language Movement gave momentum and strength to the Bengali nationalism movement,” Shahriar Alam said.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his maiden speech at the UN General Assembly in 1974 in Bangla, and he did it with a purpose, he added.

The purpose was to let people know about Bangla for which Bengalis sacrificed their lives and to uphold the prestige of mother tongue, said the state minister. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also delivers her speeches at the UN General Assembly in Bangla. 

“We are grateful to the international community for their understanding and recognition of the spirit of our Language Movement,” said Shahriar Alam. 

The best way to understand a nation is by learning the language they speak. 

“On this day, we should celebrate the richness of different cultures and languages, while also promoting understanding and respect for one another,” he said. 

More intercultural dialogues should be initiated, to break the barriers and bridge the gap between different communities, he said.

“Changing of perspective is very crucial to ensure positive outcomes of our initiatives. We can engage youths along with the government and non-government stakeholders from all levels to generate innovative solutions to the challenges we face in promoting cultural and linguistic harmony,” he said.

In this era of technological advancement, social media, print and electronic media can be a very effective tool in this regard, the state minister said.