In celebration of International Mother Language Day, the Cox’s Bazar Government High School (CBGHS) alumni association will organize a unique event titled “Ekusher Droho in the 150th Year.”
The event will take place at the school’s Shaheed Minar premises at 10 AM, bringing together participants from Japan, Venezuela, Nepal, Gambia, the Philippines, Kenya, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Syria. These individuals are affiliated with various international organizations operating in Cox’s Bazar.
According to a press release by the CBGHS Alumni Association, this initiative—marking the school’s 150th anniversary—aims to reflect the diversity and unity of languages. The participation of foreign nationals will highlight the global significance of linguistic heritage.
CBGHS Alumni Association Convener M.M. Sirajul Islam stated that former and current students will attend the event alongside international representatives.
Mohibbull Moqtadir Tanim, an organizer from the alumni association, emphasized Cox’s Bazar’s evolving status beyond a regional district, emerging as a center for international tourism, geopolitics, and global trade. “February 21 is not just a day of pride for Bengali speakers; it symbolizes the struggle, sacrifice, and unity of all linguistic communities,” he noted. He added that the Language Movement’s spirit had resonated in Cox’s Bazar, with alumni of CBGHS playing a crucial role.
Founded in 1874, Cox’s Bazar Government High School commemorates its sesquicentennial this year. Organizers believe this special event—featuring international participation—will showcase Cox’s Bazar as a tourist hub and melting pot of linguistic and cultural diversity.
CBGHS and the Language Movement
The Shaheed Minar at CBGHS is the first of its kind in the Cox’s Bazar district. The school’s alumni and teachers made significant contributions to the 1952 Language Movement, a proud chapter in its history.
Notable alumni who played pivotal roles in the movement include Khaled Mosharraf, Maulvi Farid Ahmad, Nurul Huda Chowdhury, Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury, Abdul Mabud Eklashi, Shamsul Huda, Osman Gani, Nurul Azim Chowdhury, Saleh Ahmed, Badsha Mia, Jalal Ahmed, Abdur Rahman, Kamal Uddin, Babu Probhass Rakkhit, Shree Nikhileshwar Chakraborty, Nasir Uddin, Advocate Salamat Ullah, Noor Ahmad, Joynal Abedin, Amirul Kabir Chowdhury, Mohammad Muslim, Abul Kashem, and footballer Sagir, among others.
This year’s celebration aims to honor their legacy while reinforcing the message that language is not just a means of communication but a powerful force of unity and cultural identity worldwide.
By Rajin Saleh
Photo: Collected
