Shillong: Prerona Foundation, a socio-cultural organisation dedicated to promoting education and student development, organised an event in Meghalaya’s Shillong on Sunday (February 22) to commemorate International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21.
The event was deferred by a day following the sudden demise of Shillong MP Ricky A.J. Syngkon. The programme featured cultural performances by students from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the state’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
The celebration, held at the Zenith Jublieth Club in Laban, began with Vedic chanting and the ceremonial lighting of lamps by Dariphia Nora Lyngdoh, office in-charge of the Vivekananda Cultural Centre; Prof Indrani Roy, Head of the Department of English at Umshyrpi College; and Prof Maitreyee Deb, Head of the Department of Hindi at the same institution.
In her address, Lyngdoh emphasised the importance of preserving one’s mother tongue, stating that the loss of language ultimately leads to the erosion of cultural identity. Prof Roy noted that while mother languages must be prioritised, the importance of English in a globalised world cannot be overlooked.
Prof Deb, in her address, expressed regret in witnessing that the ‘Raj Bhasha’ English, which was to be gradually replaced by Hindi as the national language, continued to remain the main language for India even after 78 years of the country’s independence.
The cultural segment featured the chanting of the Swadesh Mantra and Sanskrit songs, followed by Jaintia, Garo and Bengali dances. The programme also included an Assamese song and a Bengali recitation by Subhashish Guha.
The welcome address was delivered by Sudipa Chakravarty, senior member of Prerona Foundation, while Ajay Ghosh spoke on behalf of the Zenith Jublieth Club. Members of both organisations paid tribute to the late Dr Syngkon.
ALSO READ: 7 banks shut in Khliehriat for ignoring public holiday honouring late MP Ricky Syngkon
Ahead of the event, members of Prerona Foundation also interacted with a large group of students as part of the International Mother Language Day observance.
