Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said people should respect other languages as much as they respect their mother tongue. Addressing a programme on the occasion to celebrate International Mother Language Day, organised at Deshapriya Park in Kolkata, the chief minister said that Bengali is the fifth most spoken language in the world, and every Bengali should be proud of it. While Banerjee read out a poem she wrote dwelling on the need to spread the message of peace, unity and harmony among the people she said, “I will not say anything about any other country. I will only talk about our country.” CM Banerjee pointed out that besides Bangla, her government has recognised various languages including Kurmali, Rajbangshi, Kamtapuri, Alachiki. “I am paying tribute to every language on this occasion. No one can buy any language. Whoever speaks, whichever language that is his or her mother tongue and everyone has a sentiment with their mother tongue. We respect this emotion,” the CM said. In addition to this, CM Banerjee also paid homage to the late singer Pratul Mukherjee, who passed away at the SSKM hospital in Kolkata last Saturday. “Every time he attended the event. However, he remains in our heart. His 'Song on Bangla’ will remain,” CM Banerjee said. In the presence of his wife, the Chief Minister announced that the name of the Lansdowne Place will be 'Pratul Mukherjee Sarani' from now on. International Mother Language Day commemorates the fight for the recognition of the Bengali language in Bangladesh, when five protesters lost their lives. However, this year's celebrations in Bangladesh were noticeably subdued, lacking the grandeur of previous years. — WITH PTI
