Thread: A new Bangladeshi icon in Australia

A new Bangladeshi icon in Australia
International Mother Language Day Monument

Abdul Quader writes from Canberra


Model of the monument

The 21st February is now internationally recognised as International Mother Language Day following the resolution of the UNESCO in 1999. The resolution states "... to commemorate martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this very day in 1952”.

The UNESCO resolution is a testament to the importance of mother language; it is also an embodiment of glowing tributes paid by the international community to the language martyrs of Bangladesh. The ekushe concept has now been widened to include a global dimension in recognition of the importance and equality of all mother languages in the world.

Ekushe Academy Australia based in Sydney has undertaken to preserve the history, heritage and glory of the 1952 language movement and the declaration of 21st February by UNESCO as the International Mother Language Day by erecting a monument at the Ashfield Park in Sydney.

Ashfield is a heritage listed park. So there can be no other better place than this park to preserve the heritage of the language movement that portrays the pride of the Bangalees with regard to the mother tongue and the indomitable desire for autonomy and the right to self-determination.

The local Ashfield Council (a municipal council) has donated the land and approved the development plan for the construction of the monument. The historic International Mother Language Day Monument in Sydney is expected to go a long way in further broadening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Australia.

The construction of the monument has been estimated to cost Australian $40,000 and most of the necessary funds will come from donations from the Bangladeshi community members in Australia. The Bangladesh High Commission in Australia is very supportive of the project and on a personal request from the High Commissioner Mr Ashraf-ud-Doula the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia has granted US$10,000 (equivalent to Australian $12,500) towards the building of the monument.

The contribution of Prime Minister (and for that matter the Bangladesh Government) has been well received in Australia. This has been amply evident at a recent function at the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra where the grant cheque from the Bangladesh Government was presented to the president of the Ekushe Academy Australia Mr. Nirmal Paul by the Bangladesh High Commissioner.

Referring to the government's grant of US$10,000 speakers at the function expressed the view, in essence, that it was a glaring example of partnership between the government and the community (be it in Bangladesh or overseas) for a good cause having national as well as international significance.

The design of the monument is unique reflecting a number of important and relevant features. The key themes of the monument include:

Highlighting the international mother language day concept

Promoting mother language conservation
Awareness of the ekushe concept and the sacrifice of language martyrs

Emphasising the global nature of the pride of mother language An interesting design feature of the monument is the size of the base slab which is measured 1952mm X 1952mm to signify the year 1952 in which the language movement took place, highlighting the martyrdom for the love of mother language. The main slab stone will be a slate stone embodying another significant concept in that slates were used by many people of older generations and our forefathers as a material for writing in early years of their learning and education.

The gold-plated imprint of Shaheed Minar icon will be placed at the lower part of the front side of the main stone. Below the Shaheed Minar, “Amar Bhaiyer Roktey Rangano Ekushe February, Ami Ki Bhulete Pari” will be written. Underneath this “We will remember the martyrs of 21st February” will be inscribed, aiming to express a commitment to preserve the mother language.

Above the imprint of Shaheed Minar five alphabets each from six languages, including Bangla, will be imprinted signifying respect for all languages from five continents of the world. The Bangla alphabets will be at the top to show the importance of Bangla language for which people sacrificed their lives and for which the world community through UNESCO has now recognised 21st February as the International Mother Language Day on a proposal from the Bangladesh Government headed by Sheikh Hasina at that time (1999).

A globe will be placed on top with Bangladesh and Australia facing the front with the idea of showing the two countries -- the origin of Shaheed Minar and International Mother Language Day, and the site of the monument. Below the globe, the message “Conserve your mother language” will be written.

Other design features will include the UNESCO resolution which declared 21st February as the International Mother Language Day, information containing names of the language martyrs, recognition of the founder, unveiling etc.

The monument has been officially opened on 19 February this year. The most remarkable significance of the monument is that it belongs to all communities throughout the world; it is not just for the Bangla-speaking people or Bangladeshi-Australians. The monument is going to be a heritage for all humanity, so to speak.

The International Mother Language Day Monument in Sydney will be a prominent Bangladeshi icon in Australia. For this all Bangladeshis, wherever they live, should feel proud and honoured, and the Ekushe Academy Australia deserves special thanks from the community members for conceptualising such a brilliant idea and undertaking to implement the project of erecting a monument befitting the spirit of ekushe and the importance of mother language all over the world.

The monument is expected to spread the unforgettable message of ekushe and the importance of international mother language day far and wide, outside the borders of Australia.

The author is a freelance contributor.