The Department of Urdu in collaboration with the office of the Dean, School of Humanities celebrated the International Mother Language Day 2018 on 21st February in the School of Humanities Auditorium. Prof. R.S. Sarraju, Head, Centre for Dalit Adivasi Studies and Translation presided over the function.
Dr. Gracious Mary Temsen, Associate Professor in the Centre for Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies addressed the gathering. She focused on the Mother Tongue and its importance in our day-to-day life. She also said that we should cherish our mother language and in a democratic setup like India, we must protect the linguistic diversity too.
The event was also addressed by Dr Arul Mozhi, faculty member of the Centre for the Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies. He also focused on the need of mother tongue and the freedom to express ourselves in the mother language.
Dr. G. Padmaja of the Centre for Health Psychology and the Deputy Dean of Student’s Welfare of the University too expressed her feelings on this occasion. She also emphasized on the mother language and asked all to rededicate themselves for the promotion of mother language.
Prof. Habeeb Nisar, Head, Dept. of Urdu welcomed the gathering and said that if we are sound in our mother tongue, we can learn any other language easily. It is a known fact that learning becomes easy if we get education in our mother language. He also cited the three language formula which enables us to learn three languages but the focus is on our mother language.
In his presidential remarks Prof. R. S. Sarraju congratulated the audience on the occasion of International Mother Language Day and urged all to cherish and promote their mother language. He also said that in the present day due to the international market we are forced to learn international communication language to keep ourselves in the competition but we must not forget our mother language too as it has a sound connection with our deep rooted heritage and culture.
The office of the DSW, University of Hyderabad organized an essay writing competition in connection to the International Mother Language Day and the prizes to the winners were given in this event. Prof. R.S. Sarraju and Dr Padmaja gave away the prizes to the winning students.
Dr. Zahidul Haque, Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Urdu and Coordinator of the programme proposed the vote of thanks to the speakers and the audience present. The programme was attended by a large number of students from different departments of the School of Humanities as well from other departments of the University.
By
Dr. Zahidul Haque
Department of Urdu