International Mother Language Day Observed on 21 February 2025 .

Important Days

The United Nations (UN) observes International Mother Language Day (IMLD) every year on February 21 to raise awareness about the significance of preserving and promoting mother languages. The day emphasizes the promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity, encourages multilingualism, and underscores the role of languages in fostering a peaceful, tolerant, and inclusive global society.


      - The observance of IMLD in 2025 marks its 25th anniversary.

      - The theme of IMLD 2025, "Languages Matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day," serves as a crucial reminder to protect linguistic diversity and promote the use of mother tongues.

     

Main Point :-   (i) The initiative to celebrate IMLD originated in Bangladesh, where it honors the language martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 1952 language movement in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in an effort to protect the dignity of their mother tongue, 'Bangla.'

      (ii) On November 17, 1999, the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared February 21 as "International Mother Language Day" to honor the Bengali people's struggle and sacrifice for their language and culture. The first IMLD was observed on December 21, 2000, following the UNESCO proclamation.

(iii) The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially recognized this observance in its resolution (A/RES/56/262) in 2002.

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