On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Ekushey Academy Australia—an organisation dedicated to promoting the Bengali language, culture, and the spirit of Bangladesh’s Liberation War among the diaspora—organised a significant thematic discussion seminar on Sunday, 1 February 2026, at the Marrickville Community Centre in Sydney. The program commenced at 4:00 pm with an Acknowledgement of Country, followed by the national anthems of Bangladesh and Australia. A minute’s silence was observed to pay deep respect to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, the martyred intellectuals of 1971, and all martyrs of the Great Liberation War.
Under the direction of Amia Matin, Ekushey Academy’s cultural troupe Abhijatri presented patriotic songs. Performances were rendered by Amia Matin, Abhijit Barua, Piyasa Barua, Lily Gomez, Benjamin Gomez, and Chhaya Bishwas, accompanied on tabla by Mithu Barman. Subsequently, Dr Monira Haque and her team briefed the audience on the We Care App of Organ and Tissue Donation NSW.
The thematic discussion session was chaired by Dr Sultan Mahmud and moderated by Bulbul Ahmed Saju, General Secretary of Ekushey Academy Australia. This year’s theme was “The Sacrifice of Bangladesh’s Language Martyrs and the Path They Showed.”
The keynote paper was presented by eminent rhymester, poet, essayist, human rights activist, and recipient of both the Ekushey Padak and Independence Award, S M Abraham Lincoln. In his comprehensive and thought-provoking presentation, he highlighted the historical background of the Language Movement, its struggles, contemporary challenges, and possible ways forward.
Based on the keynote paper, in-depth discussions were delivered by columnist Ajay Das Gupta, Freedom Fighters Mizanur Rahman Tarun and Enayet ur Rahim Belal. Among other invited speakers were prominent leaders of Sydney’s Bangladeshi community and cultural organisations, including Dr Sirajul Haque, Gama Abdul Qadir, Ajay Dasgupta, Shafiqul Alam, Dr Nur ur Rahman, and Councillor Eliza Rahman Tumpa, who shared their valuable insights.
Speakers emphasised the importance of nurturing historical awareness and cultural values among the younger generation and called for ensuring the proper and accurate use of the Bengali language at all levels in Bangladesh.
Former Ekushey Academy Australia presidents Dr Abdul Wahab, and former general secretaries Al Noman Shamim and Rawnak Hasan also addressed the gathering on behalf of the organisation.
In his closing remarks, the chair Dr Sultan Mahmud expressed sincere thanks to all participants and formally concluded the program by inviting everyone to attend the upcoming Ekushey Book Fair, scheduled for 15 February 2026.