Dhaka: Terming Bangla a very powerful language, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged all to protect the dignity of the language in everyday affairs as well as spreading its splendour across the world, reports BSS>

Bangla is the only language which dignity had been protected at the cost of blood. But, like many languages, Bangla is now endangered because of the internalization of culture, language and economy, she said.

‘Learning of other languages is crucial for needs of life and interactions with other peoples across the global. But at the same time we have to protect the uniqueness of our own language,’ the Prime Minister said.

Sheikh Hasina was addressing a function marking distribution of the ‘Ekushey Padak-2016 organized by Ministry of Cultural Affairs at Osmani Memorial Hall in Dhaka.

The Prime Minister said people need to learn foreign languages for job. But they should not forget mother language. Perfectiveness of education might come from the knowledge in combination of mother language with other languages.

Sheikh Hasina said as a nation Bengali people belong to a unique language, identity and sense of self-dignity. Our culture and heritage also has unique nature. We have to hold it, infuse it into the next generation and flourish it at global level.

Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor presided over the function while Cabinet Secretary Shafiul Alam conducted the programme and read out citation on the recipients of the award. Cultural Affairs Secretary Akhtari Momtaj gave the welcome address.

The Prime Minister said the rights to speaking in Bangla were achieved in the way of a long struggle. The struggle began in 1948 and got final shape with the supreme sacrifice of the people on 21 February, 1952.

The Prime Minister said the supreme sacrifice on February 21, 1952 had created a renaissance in the spirit of Bengali people. Ekushey sprouted out the spirit of nationalism in the people of Bangladesh teaching them not to bow to others. The country’s liberation came in the way of language movement.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh was born with the spirit of secularism. We have to uphold the spirit so that the country can ensure its position in the global community. And it’s possible through socio-economic development of the country, she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has already made its position in the world in terms of economic development. We have to remember always that we should not beg to others, but go for prosperity through ensuring optimum utilization of our own resources.

Expressing her firm confidence in bright future of the country, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh will go ahead and we will be able to build Bangladesh as a poverty and hunger free nation.

Sheikh Hasina said the spirit of immortal Ekushey has transcended across the world following UN recognition to the historic day of Feb 21 as the International Mother Language Day.