Bengalis have a rich tradition of literature and great language just as the people speaking Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pushto and other languages in Pakistan on western side. The demarcation of lines between India and the new nation of Pakistan was such that Pakistan was born on two sides of India! On the east side was East Pakistan (which was carved out of Bengal), where the people did share the religion with the population on the other side of Pakistan but not the language. The events leading to IMLD were intimately related to a major unfortunate event of 20th century, namely partition of India which has had direct impact on my and your life as Sindhi.ĭivision of India was a hurriedly carried out exercise. Why would United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisations (UNESCO) deem it appropriate at the turn of the second millennium AD to declare a day to celebrate importance and recognition of mother language? Bit of search and lot of curiosity led me to a gripping story of struggle and sacrifice to sustain one's mother tongue. But before I do that I call for your patience to read about some events that took place 56 years ago in what was at that time East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).įebruary 21st is a special day, not because it is exactly one week after Valentine day, but because it is celebrated as International Mother Language Day (IMLD)! If you knew great! if not, you know it now. I put before you three reasons for speaking and learning Sindhi that you as an intelligent human being should consider before forming any quick judgement based on the title only. If Sindhi is your mother tongue, mother language or home language, please read on. HERE ARE TREE REASONS WHY YOU MUST SPEAK SINDHI By Devendra Kodwani