By Acharya Shrinath Dwivedi
SURREY – The members of the Lovers of Mother Language World Society organized a seminar at Centre Surrey Library on September 14,2013 to highlight the importance of mother tongue and theme was- “Mother Language and Importance of Books”. Dr.Sursh Kurl delivered a well researched key note speech that was quite enlightening, educational and inspirational.
Other speaker—Balwant Sanghera , who is known for championing the cause of Punjabi language in BC, fully supported an idea of protecting the mother language He said that now Punjabi is the third popular- spoken- language in Canada.
M.Rafiq, a prominent Urdu lover and a multi-cultural activist, felt himself lucky to be the part of Canada that promotes multi-culture and multi-language and we should respect other languages.
John Amin, a representative of Bangla language presented contradictory views. He found that diversity of languages creates more problems in societies and it is better to have one international language that can unite the people of the world.. Tom Abandano endorsed the policy of mother language and encouraged others to practice their mother tongues at homes only then it can survive.
“Mother language is the foundation of all progress. We find, if we look around, that all weighty researches in field of science and technology have been carried by the powerful nations of the world such as USA, USSR, Germany and China etc in their national languages. Most importantly, the glory of culture is embedded with mother language”, were the closing remarks made by the chair of the seminar- Dwivedi.
UNESCO in its meeting in 1999 announced to celebrate an International Mother Language Day on February 21 every year. This date was picked up on the basis of historic campaign brought out by Bengali people of East Pakistan to get Bangla language recognized as a national language in the year 1952.
Emphasis was on promoting linguistic diversity and multi-lingual education. It also meant to create greater awareness about the significance of the education of mother tongue. The educational institutions, media out lets, cultural, literary organizations and governments around the world are supposed to advance this principle.
A report of UNESCO clearly shows that 3000 languages will disappear at the end of 21st Century and humanity will not only lose cultural wealth but also important ancestral knowledge embedded specially in aboriginal languages. This process can be reversed if we all do sincere efforts to revitalize mother tongues with well planned policies.
Of course, there is fundamental linkage between language and traditional knowledge. Linguistic and cultural diversity represent universal values that strengthens the unity and cohesion of societies.
Participants were entertained through variety of fascinating dances presented by—
Tamilian girls-T.Mahendra,Tharny Mahendran and S.Vimalendra choreographed by S.S.K.Swami; a cute, seven year girl- Oobni Rahman Khan performed a traditional Bengali dance and dancers of Philippine- group gave a glamorous presentation. Dr. Iqubal Bhuiyan emceed the cultural episodes.
M. Afzal Malik arranged the refreshment and Rafiqul Islam, President of Lovers of Mother Language of the World Society helped a lot in organizing this successful Seminar.
