Agartala , Feb 21, 2025, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala Feb 21: In the era of globalization, the mother tongue remains a cornerstone of cultural identity and national pride, said Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who spoke as the chief guest at the state-level program celebrating International Mother Language Day at Agartala Town Hall on Friday.

Notably, this year marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, celebrated globally.

In his address, Minister Nath emphasized the irreplaceable value of the mother tongue, stating, "The mother tongue is the identity of any nation. No nation can ever prosper by ignoring the mother tongue."

He underscored the deep respect owed to the mother, mother tongue, and motherland, asserting that a nation's progress is rooted in these elements.

“A child’s first linguistic education comes from their mother, enabling them to articulate thoughts simply and directly through their mother tongue”, he said.

He also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new national education policy, which prioritizes the mother tongue. The state government, too, has made concerted efforts to protect and promote all languages spoken within the state, treating them with equal importance.

Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, also present at the event, remarked on the widespread enthusiasm for International Mother Language Day celebrations globally.

Former Vice Chancellor of Tripura Central University, Padma Shri Dr. Arunoday Saha, reiterated the fundamental role of the mother tongue in expressing human thoughts and emotions, comparing its importance to that of a mother’s milk.

Director of Secondary Education N C Sharma, Director of Information and Culture Department Bimbiswar Bhattacharjee, Director of Higher Education Department Animesh Debbarma, Director of Kokborok and Other Minority Languages ​​Department Anandahari Jamatia, and Director of State Council of Educational Research and Training L Darlong also remained present at the program.

The event showcased the cultural diversity of Tripura, with representatives of various linguistic groups dressed in traditional attire and presenting cultural displays in their respective mother tongues.

Additionally, students from local schools and colleges performed the inaugural song in Bengali, Kokborok, and Hindi, celebrating the linguistic tapestry of the region.