International Mother Language Day observed

Chandigarh, February 21     

The School of Punjabi Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, organised a special lecture on International Mother Language Day today. 

Renowned Punjabi poet Siri Ram Arsh and Prof Sukhdev Singh, president, Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana, were the main speakers. 

Prof Yog Raj, chairperson of the department, gave a brief account of the history the day, telling that it was first announced by UNESCO on February 21, 2000. He also announced that the day would be celebrated every year in the department.

 Dr Sukhdev Singh shared that of 6,500 languages of the world, 2,500 were in danger and Punjabi was one of these.  He opined that languages should not only be treated as a means of communication but a part of information and technology so that their existence could be protected.

Siri Ram Arsh said a language can be protected in writing, not only by speaking.  He introduced stressed the importance of the day and said to protect the mother tongue was our primary responsibility. 

Meanwhile, the University School of Open Learning (USOL), Panjab University, organised an event to mark the day. Prof Sudhir Kumar, a teacher of English at the  Department of Evening Studies, spoke on the significance of the day and explained why in India English became a dominant language.  Shams Tabrezi, an eminent Urdu poet, read out his ghazals. — TNS