Bangladesh
Rafiqul Islam PM Hasina seeks forgiveness from her teacher Rafiqul Islam
Dhaka, February 22: This year, for the first time, the International Mother Language Institute has given the Mother Language Medal. The medal was awarded to three individuals and an institution, including National Professor Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, for their contribution to the preservation, practice and propagation of the mother tongue. Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni handed over the medal on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a function organised at the International Mother Tongue Institute on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took part in the inauguration ceremony of Great Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day-2021 and awarding of International Mother Language Medal 2021 in a video conference from Ganobhaban.
Expressing regret over not being able to hand over the medal directly to her teacher Rafiqul Islam due to the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "Sir, please forgive me."
Prominent linguist, Nazrul researcher, writer and former Dhaka University professor Mohammad Rafiqul Islam and Mathura Bikash Tripura, executive director of Jabarang Kalyan Samiti in Khagrachhari, have received awards at the national level.
Expressing regret over not being able to hand over the award directly to him, the Prime Minister said, "This is the first time that the International Mother Language National Medal 2021 and the International Mother Language International Medal 2021 have been awarded. My grief remained here. It is an honor and pride for me to hand over the medal to the respected teacher Rafiqul Islam Sir. But I could not hand over the medal myself. Sir, please forgive me."
The Prime Minister said, "Actually, if you are the Prime Minister, you don't have all the freedom. You have to live like a prisoner. I am like that. I did not go as it would have involved many people for my protection and safety."
Congratulating the recipients, Sheikh Hasina said, "Congratulations to you. At the same time, I would like to thank others who have received the award, such as Mathura Bikash Tripura for their research on our small ethnic group. I also congratulate Uzbekistan and Bolivia at the international level."
