AI Generated Summary
- If we examine this situation, much of the blame lies with our leaders, who, for the sake of their political power, began dividing the people of Punjab on the basis of religion and misled non-Sikhs into adopting Hindi as their mother tongue.
- It is also observed today that many people run organizations in the name of the Punjabi language to gain political and social benefits, yet in their own homes, they do not communicate in their mother tongue.
- A mother tongue is not only a medium of communication but also a means of passing down our traditions, values, and history from one generation to another.
When a child is born in this world, the first language they learn from their mother is their mother tongue. However, over the past few years, the people of Punjab have been gradually moving away from their mother tongue. Most of them have started using Hindi, the national language of the country, in daily conversation. Earlier, this trend was mainly seen outside Punjab, but now even within Punjab, most people have begun using other languages as their primary means of communication. If we examine this situation, much of the blame lies with our leaders, who, for the sake of their political power, began dividing the people of Punjab on the basis of religion and misled non-Sikhs into adopting Hindi as their mother tongue. The result of this is evident today.
Today, better Punjabi is spoken in the neighboring country’s Punjab, known as Lahnda Punjab, where people have preserved their heritage and language. Regardless of which political party came to power, all governments have treated the Punjabi language with neglect.
Today, Mother Language Day is being celebrated across the world. The purpose of observing this day is to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and to raise awareness about the preservation of mother tongues. This day was initiated by UNESCO in 1999 to honor the world’s diverse languages and their cultural heritage.
A mother tongue forms the foundation of an individual’s identity, culture, and emotions. It is the language in which we first think, understand, and express our ideas. A mother tongue is not only a medium of communication but also a means of passing down our traditions, values, and history from one generation to another. In today’s era of globalization, many languages are on the verge of extinction. When a language disappears, an entire culture and a legacy of knowledge disappear with it. Therefore, the preservation and promotion of mother tongues is extremely important.
Education at the primary level in one’s mother tongue enhances children’s mental and intellectual development and helps them stay connected to their culture. Mother Language Day inspires us to develop a sense of respect and pride for our language. We should use our mother tongue as much as possible, make the new generation aware of its importance, and contribute to preserving linguistic diversity.
It is also observed today that many people run organizations in the name of the Punjabi language to gain political and social benefits, yet in their own homes, they do not communicate in their mother tongue. Therefore, we must begin this effort within our homes and with our children; only then can we inspire society to follow.
If we do not pay attention to this in time, there may come a day when we may even long to hear our mother tongue. Ultimately, a mother tongue is not merely a means of speech but a symbol of our identity and existence. Preserving and respecting it is the duty of us all.
