GaanBazar 

International Mother Language Day.

Following the liberation of East Pakistan and creation of the new state of Bangladesh, Bangla remains central to the identity and aspirations of the new nation-state. Many historians have traced the rise of the latent nationalism that led to the birth of the new country in the movements for the establishment of Bangla as the state language. For this, as well as cultural reasons, the Language Movement remains a central event in the national life. Every year, on the stroke of midnight on 21st February, Bangladeshis pay tribute to those who gave up their lives for Bangla.

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Following a proposal, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the adoption of 21st February as International Mother Language Day. Highlighting the supreme sacrifice made by the citizens of Bangladesh for their language, one of the rare instances in world history of people giving up their lives for the sake of their mother tongue, this day was adopted to highlight the rights of the ethnic groups all over the world. This decision sparked jubilation amongst the members of the Bangladeshi diaspora situated all over the world.

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After the adoption of this resolution, every anniversary has been celebrated worldwide. UNESCO uses this day to highlight the progress made during the past year on the "Education For All" goals of the Millenium Development Challenge. Every year's celebration has a particular theme highlighting that one facet of the ethno-linguistic heritage of different groups. Following this same tradition, 2008 has been announced to be the International Year of Languages.