State-Level Celebration of International Mother Language Day in Agartala

Agartala, February 21: The state-level celebration of International Mother Language Day was held today at the Agartala Town Hall, emphasizing the importance of mother tongues in the era of globalization. Agriculture Minister Ratanlal Nath, addressing the event, stated that the mother tongue is the identity of any nation and that no nation can prosper by neglecting it. This year marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day.

Minister Nath highlighted that mother, mother tongue, and motherland are matters of utmost respect and are integral to a nation’s progress. 

He noted that a child first learns their mother tongue from their mother, and it is through this language that people can express their feelings simply and effectively. He urged everyone to take a vow to enrich their mother tongue and other languages. Nath also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new National Education Policy emphasizes the importance of the mother tongue, and the state government is working to protect and promote all languages in Tripura.

Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Deepak Majumder spoke about the global enthusiasm for International Mother Language Day, celebrating the protection and promotion of every ethnic group’s mother tongue. He highlighted the state government’s efforts to enrich the languages of various ethnic communities in Tripura.

Former Vice Chancellor of Tripura Central University, Padmashree Dr. Arunoday Saha, compared the importance of the mother tongue to that of mother’s milk, emphasizing its role as a medium for expressing thoughts and emotions. Other dignitaries present included N.C. Sharma, Director of Secondary Education; Bimbisar Bhattacharya, Director of Information and Culture; Animesh Debbarma, Director of Higher Education; Anandhari Jamatia, Director of Kokborok and Other Minority Languages; and L. Darlong, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training.

The event featured cultural performances by representatives of various linguistic groups, who showcased their traditions and culture in their respective mother tongues while dressed in traditional attire. Students from schools and colleges also performed inaugural songs in Bengali, Kokborok, and Hindi, adding vibrancy to the celebration.