Voice Of People Report, March 1: The London Bangla Press Club organized a unique event for mainstream students in the UK to mark International Mother Language Day. The special program, held in collaboration with London Enterprise Academy, was titled “International Mother Language Day – Inclusive Classroom Programme”. According to the organizers, the main aim was to raise awareness among students about the Bengali language, its history, and to promote linguistic and cultural consciousness.

The event took place on Monday, 23 February, in the hall of London Enterprise Academy in East London, beginning with a welcome speech by the academy’s principal, Ashid Ali. He thanked the London Bangla Press Club, saying, “Such initiatives inspire mainstream students to take an interest in the Bengali language and culture. Every year, our students pay tribute to the language martyrs at Altab Ali Park on 21 February. To foster a deeper appreciation of language and culture, we also share experiences from our trips to Bangladesh with the students.”

The event was hosted by Akramul Hossain, General Secretary of the London Bangla Press Club. Club President Barrister Tarek Chowdhury said, “For the first time in the club’s history, we were able to present the history and struggle of the Bengali Language Movement to mainstream students in the UK.” Akramul Hossain added, “International Mother Language Day is not only a day to remember history; it is a day to celebrate linguistic diversity worldwide. These students will one day play a role in policy-making, so it is important to make the history of the language movement accessible to them.”

Senior club member and media personality Urmi Mazhar, along with Farhan Masud Khan, Head of Program at Channel S, were the keynote speakers. Urmi Mazhar stated, “Bengali is the only language in the world for which people have sacrificed their lives to preserve its dignity. The struggle to secure the right to speak in one’s mother tongue gave birth to the 1952 Language Movement, which ultimately led to the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.”

Farhan Masud Khan addressed the students, saying, “In 1999, UNESCO recognized 21 February as International Mother Language Day, providing an opportunity to honor linguistic diversity and cultural heritage worldwide. Each of us must remain respectful of our mother tongue.”

Following the discussions, students actively participated in a Q&A session, asking questions about the history of the Bengali Language Movement. The event concluded successfully, with Treasurer Abdul Hannan thanking everyone for their participation. Under the leadership of Events and Facilities Secretary Rupi Amin, club members performed a song of tribute.

Other attendees included Vice President Ahad Chowdhury Babu, Assistant Secretary Abdul Qadir Chowdhury Murad, Assistant Treasurer Ekhlasur Rahman Pakku, Media and IT Secretary Faisal Mahmud, First Executive Member Sarwar Hossain, and other club members.

At the end of the event, the London Bangla Press Club presented a replica of the Shaheed Minar and a commemorative memento to the London Enterprise Academy, making the occasion even more memorable.