International Mother Language Day

Till last week, I had no idea that there is something like an International Mother Language Day and the fact that it had something to do with my mother tongue. UN had declared February 21st as the International Mothers Language Day in the early 90's in honor of the language movement that took place on February 21st of 1952 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, then East Pakistan. Facing the threat that Urdu will replace Bangla (English ethnonym Bengali) as the official and only language of the land, the college students protested and sacrificed their lives to defend the honor of their mother tongue. The sacrifices and the blood shed that took place on that day planted the seed for Bangladesh's eventual independence from Pakistan in 1971.

[It is worth noting here that UN proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages. See the proclamation here.]

Today, I'm even more proud that I said my first words in Bengali. I am proud that I predominantly express my joy, sorrow and feelings in Bengali. Even though I can and do dream in English, I find more comfort in my mother tongue. So, when I got a call from one of my Bangladeshi friends in West Memphis to participate in a cultural program in honor of the language martyrs, I gladly accepted the invitation. It gave me immense pleasure to be able to partake in a special celebration of language.

The function started with a recitation from the Holy Quran followed by a passage from the Bhagavad Gita. It was befitting given the religious makeup of the two Bengal.

I recited Achintya Kumar Sengupta's Poob-Paschim (East-West) which I think is very appropriate for this occasion. During India's independence in 1947, Bengal was partioned by imperial forces into West Bengal (now a state in India) and East Bengal (also known as East Pakistan and now Bangladesh) and, over time, the diction and dream of the people from these two parts drifted apart. The poem reminds the reader that the Bangla language remains the common thread, the invisible glue that binds the people from these two countries. The poem reminds that our rivers carry the same water, our trees provide the same shade, our history and geography are one, our prayers are same, our enemy is common but, most importantly, our language is the same. We are the creator of the invisible friendship band, reflection of each others' souls. Despite the external differences, our feelings are the same, our language is the same. We are one.

You can listen to the recitation of Poob-Paschim recited by Kazi Sabyasachi, son of a famous Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam (who coincidentally has been referenced in this poem.)

Sleepless in Memphis

I have an acute sleep problem. I don't have difficulty falling asleep, my problem is maintaining a quality sleep through the night due to a medical condition called sleep apnea. I use a CPAP to deal with it. Modern innovation in sleep therapy helps me go through the night so I can function the next day.

But then, I do have moments when I have difficulty falling asleep. This runs counter to how people close to me know me; I am known to fall asleep whenever and wherever. But it does happen that I'm up.

The poem in Bengali is about one of those nights when I am up.

© 2009 Sanjoy Haldar

Quotations from Great Minds

I don't remember the source, I think these are from the writings of Swami Vivekananda. I picked them up during a recent trip to India.

- First believe in the world - that there is meaning behind everythng.
- Don't look back, look for infinte energy, infinite enthusiasm, infinite daring, and infinite patience - then alone can great deeds be accomplished.
- Fill the brain with highest thoughts, highest ideals, place them day and night before you, and out of that will come great work
- Desire, ignorance, and inequality - this is the trinity of bondage
- Are great things ever done smoothly? Time, patience and indomitable will must show
- Great work requires great and persistent effort for a long time. Character has to be established through a 1000 stumbles
- A few heart-whole, sincere, and energtic men and women can do more in a year than a mob in a century
- Be a hero. Always say, I have no fear. Tell this to everyone I have no fear
- Perfection comes through selfless work
- Purity, patience and perseverance are the three essentials to success

Places to see before I die

Australia – Ayer’s Rock
Brazil – Iguacu falls
China – Terracota Army, Great
Easter Island
Egypt
French Polynesia – Bora Bora
Germany – Neuschwanstein
Granada
Italy – leaning tower, coliseum,. Sistine chapel
Jordan – Petra
Kenya- Kilimanjaro, Victoria falls
Russia – St. Petersburg – hermitage, Kremlin
Spain – Alhambra
Turkey
Peru – machhupichhu