Last Saturday, more than 100 people attended the Bangladesh Students’ Association’s celebration of International Mother Language Day, which featured a dinner and music.
On Feb. 21, 1952, there was a protest against the Pakistani regime because it required that people use the Pakistani language, Urdu, said Aminur Rashid Chowdhury, BSA president and a chemistry graduate student.
“We revolted because we needed to talk in our mother language,” Chowdhury said.
He said many people were shot and died that day.
“Since that day, the Pakistan regime had to compromise, and they had to declare that Bangla will be the national language of Pakistan,” Chowdhury said.
Bangladesh, formerly the Province of East Pakistan, became an independent country in 1971.
He said the celebration was a small way to get recognition from the university community. Chowdhury said the students and local residents are friendly but did not feel welcomed by the university.
“I think UTRGV should be more welcoming to people like us. … There is a big Indian community,” Chowdhury said. “We have not been represented.”
He said UTRGV should host a cultural day where different minorities represent their group through music or food and other kinds of activities.
“The Bangladeshi community helped me out a lot, because it’s a new place. … I really needed cultural attachment to my own culture,” said Faeqa Mohsin, BSA’s secretary and a biology graduate student.
Mohsin said she became involved with all of the BSA events, attended meetings and became secretary.
She said International Mother Language Day celebration was organized to welcome 14 new students from Bangladesh joining UTRGV during the spring semester.
“As well as, we haven’t been able to celebrate New Year’s. … And also, it’s the spring celebration. … That is also special back in Bangladesh. It’s a bunch of things all mixed together,” Mohsin said.
She introduced the new members and the organization celebrated with Bangladesh dishes, including chotpoti, pitas, biryani, firni and fish.
They also played “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano” and the national anthem, “Amar Shonar Bangla,” and different modern Bangla songs.
BSA meetings consist of different activities besides celebrating Bangladesh holidays.
“Our activities range from everything, starting from playing cricket at Weslaco all together. Cricket is the sport that’s special in Bangladesh. We have a team that’s good. And then, we have barbecues, get togethers. Suppose it’s someone’s birthday, we celebrate that,” Mohsin said.
The association celebrates Bengali New Year and the national Independence Day. For cultural events, members try to wear traditional clothes.
“It took me half an hour to drape this sari,” she said, laughing. “Apart from that, we have picnics at South Padre Island and different parks. So, it’s a combination of everything that’s fun and as well as culturally significant.”
Mohsin said she is looking forward to getting to know the new students.
“Before this semester, … the student community over here in Edinburg roughly summed up to eight, nine, or something, but this semester, 14 new students just came into Edinburg. It’s a bigger community now,” she said.
Mohsin said the community is expanding, and it’s difficult to get to know everyone.
“What I’m looking forward to most is getting to know these new students who came here, learning a bit about their experience, and also offering any help if we can,” she said. “As well as the families here, they are wonderful. I’m looking forward to talking with the family members, and they have kids. It’s a beautiful experience.”
For more information about BSA’s meetings, visit utrgv.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/bangladeshistudents.
Agma Zaman (left) and nursing graduate student Christina Halder attend the Bangladesh Student Association celebration of International Mother Language Day.
