Vice Chancellor Dr. Akhtaruzzaman

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. It gives me great pleasure to join you today at this prestigious venue of Dhaka University. The university has a long history and has made significant contributions in the making of modern Bangladesh. It has been the focal point of various progressive and democratic movements in the sub-continent. Most notably, the students and teachers of the University have played a central role in Bangladesh’s liberation. Hundreds of students of the university gave up their lives for the freedom of Bangladesh. It is these sacrifices on which the strong foundation of India-Bangladesh partnership is laid.

2. High Commission of India has a long association with Dhaka University. Over 15 lakh Taka has been provided by the High Commission for the development and upgradation of the Sanskrit Department of the university. A Tagore chair has also been established in 2017. Exploring possibility for the establishment of AYUSH and Sanskrit chair.

3. Today is also a special day as it marks the homecoming of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It is on this day that Bangabandhu returned to Bangladesh in 1972 after 290 days of captivity in Pakistani jail. Bangabandhu, till this day is an inspiration India – Bangladesh friendship. His fight for Bengali liberation and for the Bangla language would continue to be a guiding light for all the people fighting against oppression and injustice for generations to come.

4. Language is the soul of any nation. No one can understand it better than the alumni and students of Dhaka University, who had defied the law to organize a mass protest on 21 February 1952 launching the language movement. This protest acted as a catalyst for a widespread civil unrest throughout Bangladesh which compelled the then Pakistani government to grant official language status to Bengali in 1956 . I am happy that I am visiting Dhaka University on another language day that we are marking in World Hindi Day.We have a valuable association with Dhaka University to promote Hindi language. Of course , Bollywood films and songs.

5. During the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka University in 2015, the Hindi department of the University was established. In 2017, the Indian Council of Cultural Relations(ICCR) and Dhaka University signed an MoU to establish a Hindi Chair. Hindi magazines are being published on a regular basis under the aegis of Dhaka University. Full fledged Hindi language classes are also taking place at the Indian cultural centre in Dhaka. I am very elated to mention that around 100 students have taken admission and have shown immense interest in learning Hindi.

6. On this august occasion of World Hindi Day, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent his greetings and a special message. I would like to read out some part of the message:

भाषा विश्व को जोड़ती है ।हमारी गौरवशाली संस्कृति व संस्कारों को तकनीक के इस दौर में विभिन्न माध्यमों से दुनिया के हर हिस्से में पहुंचाने में हिंदी का बड़ा योगदान रहा है ।हिंदी की प्रगति हमारे राष्ट्र के मूल्यों के प्रसार के साथ-साथ विश्व बंधुत्व के भाव से भी जुड़ी हुई है। अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भारत की विशेष पहचान और भारतवंशियों को एकता के सूत्र में पिरोने में हिंदी एक मजबूत कड़ी है ।विश्व हिंदी दिवस के अवसर पर विश्व भर में आयोजित कार्यक्रमों से जुड़े सभी हिंदी प्रेमियों को बधाई व हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं !

The full text of the message can be found on various media platforms.

7. I thank for you joining us today at this event. I wish the students and teachers of the University the very best in their further endeavor. High Commission of India stands committed in supporting Dhaka University in all their future activities.

Thank You!