Bhutan understands the struggles Bangladeshis went through for freedom and feels lucky to have never been subjected to the rule of another entity, said His Excellency Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Sonam Tobden Rabgye.
“Bangladesh is a dynamic country. And it is the people of Bangladesh who made the difference,” he said congratulating BRAC University (BRACU) on being adjudged Bangladesh’s top private university in QS Asia University Rankings 2018.
He was addressing a celebration of International Mother Language Day 2018 on BRACU’s Mohakhali campus on Monday, 26 February 2018, themed “The Colourful Letters Worldwide” to pay tribute to the diverse array of languages worldwide.
Delivering the welcoming speech on inaugurating the event, Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, founder and director of the BRAC Institute of Languages, said plans are ongoing to introduce Bangla as a credit course with University Grant Commission’s approval.
The BRACU Drama and Theater Forum, BRACU Cultural Club, BRACU Monon, BRACU Adventure Club, BRACU Community Services Club and BRACU Computer Club along with general students volunteered to organise the event under the supervision of the Office of Co-curricular Activities (OCA).
The campus was decorated with various Bangla slogans representing the Language Movement of 1952 while styrofoam cutouts of letters of different languages, flowers, festoons and traditional floor paintings called alpana centred around a temporary Shaheed Minar on a stage in the auditorium.
There was a book fair featuring six publishing houses along with provisions for students to adorn their hands and faces with commemorative paintings such as that of the Central Shaheed Minar and the National Flag.
Besides, there was an exhibition titled “Shobdo Mela” showcasing paintings of underprivileged students of Hashimukh School in Poribagh and BRAC School at Korail.
The event began with the laying of a wreath at the Shaheed Minar while BRACU Cultural Club members sang “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushey February”.
A one-minute’s silence was observed in memory of the Language Movement martyrs followed by a cultural programme.
Professor AFM Yusuf Haider, chairman of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, along with students were present.
The event ended with a vote of thanks from OCA Director Dilara Afroz Khan Rupa.