Celebrating International Mother Language Day Through the Eyes of Our Next Generation

Every year on 21 February, we honor the brave souls who sacrificed their lives in 1952 to protect our beloved Bangla. As members of the BUET Alumni Association Canada, we carry this legacy with us — and we are proud to see it living on through our children.

This year, Belbotika hosted a special initiative inviting the children and young members of our BUET alumni community to express their connection to Bangla and International Mother Language Day through creative submissions. The response was heartwarming. From videos and audio recordings to paintings and written pieces, our young contributors reminded us that language and culture know no borders.

Here are some of the wonderful submissions we received:

Arib Al Rashid (Age 11), son of Md Shamimur Rashid (EEE, 2008), shared a video of himself reading aloud in Bangla from his own writing. His video is a touching reminder of the dedication parents put into teaching Bangla to their children while living far from home in Canada.Keeping Bangla Alive in Canada – A Young Reader's Journey.

Yana Jannat Khandker (Age 8, Grade 2), daughter of Khandker Nurul Habib (Zakee), Ph.D., P.Eng., performed the timeless Bangla song "Gram Chara Oi Ranga Matir Poth" on the piano. Her rendition beautifully bridges Bangla heritage with her musical talent.

Maisha Hafiz (Grade 10), daughter of Mohiuddin Hafiz, contributed a beautifully written article titled "A Mother Tongue, Miles Away" reflecting on what 21 February means to her while growing up in Canada, far from Bangladesh. Her words capture the quiet pride of carrying Bangla in your heart wherever life takes you.

Elin Ahmed (Grade 4), daughter of Dr. Faisal Ahmed, expressed her love for Bangla and the spirit of 21 February through a beautiful painting. At a young age, Elin shows that art can speak just as powerfully as words, capturing the meaning of International Mother Language Day with colors and creativity. A proud moment for the family and our community.

Farasat Islam (Grade 8), son of Dr. Shafiqul Islam, contributed an article titled "International Mother Language Day" sharing his perspective on the significance of 21 February. Like his sister Sarina, Farasat carries a strong connection to Bangla language and heritage, showing that the spirit of Ekushey runs deep in the family.

Sarina Islam (Grade 11), daughter of Dr. Shafiqul Islam, authored a thoughtful article titled "International Mother Language Day: A Lesson for the Younger Generations." In her piece, Sarina explores the significance of 21 February and its enduring lessons for today's youth. Her writing reflects a deep understanding of the importance of preserving language and cultural identity across generations.

Arshiya Shamim, lovingly called Chhora, is a bright 5-year-old and the daughter of Md Shamimur Rashid, a proud BUET alumnus. Growing up in Canada, Arshiya learned Bengali from her brother Arib and her parents. While she initially understood Bengali but responded in English, her mother's dedicated efforts helped her blossom into a confident Bengali speaker. Arshiya now speaks beautiful Bengali, and her parents hope to teach her Bengali songs as well — keeping the spirit of her mother tongue alive across generations.

Sareea Safreen is the talented daughter of Safayet Hossain Suhad (CE, BUET '08). With a remarkable gift for the piano, Sareea learned about the historic Language Movement of 1952 from her parents and carries deep respect for the Bhasha Shaheeds. To honor their sacrifice, she performed the iconic Amar Bhaier Rokte Rango on the piano — turning a timeless tribute into a beautiful melody. Her performance is a testament to how the spirit of Ekushey lives on through the next generation, not just in words, but in music.These submissions are more than just creative expressions — they are acts of remembrance and connection. They show that the spirit of 21 February is not confined to the Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. It lives in every home where a child learns to read, write, speak, or sing in Bangla.

Nabeeha Naba is a 14-year-old Grade 8 student at George Webstar Elementary School in Toronto, Ontario. She is passionate about expressing her creativity through art, especially drawing, painting, and coloring, which allow her to share her imagination and emotions. Nabeeha enjoys learning new skills and challenging herself to grow every day.

In addition to art, she loves baking and playing badminton. Her artwork reflects meaningful themes, including her painting inspired by International Mother Language Day, which highlights the struggle to preserve Bangla as a mother tongue in 1952 and honors the bravery of those who fought for the right to speak their own language.

Painting by Nabeeha Naba(gr8), daughter of Nazrul Islam ,Toronto.

Zaafir Bin Anowar is the third son of Dr. Anowarul Bashar, PEng, a BUET graduate (Class of 1991). Born in Toronto, Canada, Zaafir was raised in Miami and Houston, Texas.

Alongside his full-time public school education, he dedicated his evenings to memorizing the Holy Quran. Through commitment and perseverance, he became a Hafez-e-Quran and later contributed to his community by teaching Hifz in Texas.

Zaafir is recognized as a responsible and positive leader among his peers at school. With strong academic focus and ambition, he aspires to pursue a career in medicine and become a medical doctor in North America.

This video features a heartfelt recitation of the beautiful Bengali poem “Kumro Phule Phule” by renowned poet Abu Zafar Obaidullah.

Zulkifl Bin Anowar is the second son of Dr. Anowarul Bashar, PEng, a BUET graduate (Class of 1991). Born in Toronto, Canada, Zulkifl was raised in Miami and Houston, Texas.

Alongside his full-time public school education, he dedicated his evenings to memorizing the Holy Quran. Through dedication and discipline, he became a Hafez-e-Quran and later served his community by teaching Hifz in Texas.

Zulkifl has also demonstrated strong leadership and artistic talent. He served as Choir Lead at DTSS, Vancouver, and has a deep passion for music and recitation. He is skilled in Bangla songs and Islamic Nasheed in Bangla, English, and Arabic, reflecting both his cultural roots and diverse upbringing.

This video features a spirited recitation of the beloved Bengali poem “Bir Purush (বীরপুরুষ)” by Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Zulqarnayn Bin Anowar is the first son of Dr. Anowarul Bashar, PEng, a BUET graduate (Class of 1991). He was raised in Toronto, Miami, and Houston, Texas.

Alongside his full-time public school education, Zulqarnayn dedicated his evenings to memorizing the Holy Quran. He developed strong leadership skills, serving as a Student Leader and School Captain during his school years.

Zulqarnayn is also passionate about the arts, with talent in Bangla poetry and Islamic Nasheed, bringing both creativity and dedication to his pursuits.

This video features a heartfelt recitation of “আসাদের শার্ট” by the legendary Bangladeshi poet Shamsur Rahman.

We thank all the young contributors and their families for keeping this flame alive. As a community of BUET alumni in Canada, we take great pride in nurturing the next generation's bond with our language, culture, and history.

Ekushey February Amader Gorober Din. Amra Tomader Bhulbo Na.