Bangladesh, West Bengal celebrate Mother Language Day on border

International Mother Language Day has emerged as a perfect occasion Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal to leave behind differences and celebrate Bangla as a language that binds people from both sides.

The Benapole-Petrapole border turned colourful on Wednesday with performances by prominent singers, litterateurs, politicians from both countries.

Local villagers also joined the fanfare.

The India-Bangladesh Ganga-Padma Language Unity Council introduced a fair at zero point on International Mother Language Day in 2002, the first event of its kind that brings people from both countries together.

At least 20 organisations from both the countries took part in the celebrations then.

“The fair has stepped into its sixteenth year strengthening trust and connection among the Bangla-speaking people,” said Benapole Municipality Mayor Ashraful Alam Liton.

India set up a stage at its export terminal at Petrapole while ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Ekushey Mancha’ was set up in Benapole, 200 yards from the zero point.

Amid tight security measures, artistes forgot their differences and enjoyed the time with songs and light conversations remembering good-old times.

Jyotipriya Mallick, minister for food and supplies in West Bengal, and Lok Sabha MP Mamata Thakur, among others, led a delegation comprising artistes, journalists and administrative officers to Bangladesh at 10:15am.

Awami League Presidium Member Pijush Kanti Bhattacharya, Jessore Awami League General Secretary Shahin Chaklader, the local superintendent of police and the Border Guard Bangladesh chief greeted the Indian team with flowers.

The two delegates placed wreaths at the altar of a makeshift Shaheed Minar set up at the zero point.

“It is a matter of pride that the two sides are celebrating the achievements of Bangalees collectively. It will enhance harmony and friendship among the countries,” Bhattacharya told bdnews24.com.

“The pride of Feb 21 is for all the Bangalees across the globe,” said Minister Jyotipriya Mallick.

Bangladesh’s Fatema-Tuj-Johora, Kiran Chandra Roy and Indian singer Anupam Roy sang songs.

Indian writers, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay and Sanjib Chattopadhyay and Bangladeshi actor Jayanto Chattopadhyay recited poems.