International Mother Language Day is being celebrated as Matribhasha Diwas on February 21: All Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools are celebrating February 21 as ‘Matribhasha Diwas’ (Mother Language Day), an NDTV report said. Back in 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day, and this was formally recognised in 2008 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as well.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting tweeted that ‘Celebrating Our Multilingual Heritage’ will be the theme for this year’s ‘Matribhasha Diwas’ celebrations, and the events held to mark the day will reflect the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Superior India).
The HRD Ministry tweeted that the celebrations were to promote multilingualism and awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity. It added that languages are considered as the most powerful tools of preserving and developing the tangible and intangible heritage of our great nation.
“Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage.”
Today, celebrating International Mother Language Day (अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय मातृभाषा दिवस) to promote awareness of linguistic, cultural diversity and multilingualism. pic.twitter.com/yoNCeGxmyQ
— Ministry of HRD (@HRDMinistry) February 21, 2020
In another tweet, the HRD Ministry also shared the history behind the recognition of February 21 as International Mother Language Day.
International Matribhasha Diwas: The celebration of linguistic diversity.
In 1999, @UNESCO declared, International Mother Language Day as a worldwide annual observance to be held on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic & cultural diversity & to promote multilingualism. pic.twitter.com/XMqpAYd2jF
— Ministry of HRD (@HRDMinistry) February 21, 2020
The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, tweeted saying that the celebration of mother language, or matribhasha, shouldn’t end with the conclusion of the auspicious day, and instead, every day should be celebrated as Matribhasha Diwas or Mother Language Day.
It is important that our celebration of Matribhashas does not end with the conclusion of Matribhasha Diwas. In fact everyday should be celebrated as Matribhasha Diwas. #MotherLanguageDay
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) February 20, 2020
Union Cabinet Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank also wished all Indians on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day and tweeted that language gives humans the basis of all creativity in life.
अंतरराष्ट्रीय मातृभाषा दिवस की सभी देशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ |
भाषा मनुष्य की सृजन शक्ति का ऐसा बेमिसाल उपहार है जो न केवल उसके अस्तित्व को स्थापित करता है बल्कि उसकी समस्त जीवन की सृजनात्मकता को आधार प्रकट करता है l #InternationalMotherLanguageDay pic.twitter.com/BVT4nuMYti— Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) February 21, 2020
The report added that CBSE had asked schools to present a review of the activities organised at their campuses on the occasion of Matribhasha Diwas.
Matribhasha Diwas is being celebrated by the MHRD and educational and language institutions for the past three years now.