INTERNATIONAL MOTHER TONGUE DAY- A Tribute to the Greatness of Punjabi People

MAHTAB BASHIR
ISLAMABAD
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
03335363248

Language is the most powerful instrument of preserving and developing tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongue serves not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

Though an Islooite’s by birth, my Mother Tongue is neither Urdu nor English or any other but Punjabi. My parents hailing from Lahore & Gujranwala, made me a built-in Punjabi regardless to caste and creed and obviously transforming it.

According to Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Punjabi is the most spoken language of Pakistan. It is spoken as first language by over 44.15% of Pakistanis. Punjabis comprise the largest ethnic group in the country. Punjabis are dominant in key institutions such as business, agriculture, industry, government, army, navy, air force, and police, which is why about 70% of Pakistanis can understand or speak Punjabi.

Today (February 21) is the International Mother Language Day- a day that was proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999. The International Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

On 16 May 2007, by resolution 61/266, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism.

Marking this day, I would love to share few of Punjabi lines written by few of my all time favorite poets. This wont be a bad idea to give gratitude to all Punjabi people for their sacrifices, and services they rendered over the centuries to make Punajbi a language of International repute. I’m also indebted to all Punjabi mothers for their contribution in nurturing their children for the welfare of society and country!

Rabba Sachiya tu tay Akhiya si
Ja Oye Bandiya Jug Da Shah hain Toon
Sadian Naimtan terian Doltan Nain
Sada Naib tay Alijah hain Toon
Aes Larey Tay Tor Kud Puchiya Iy
Kee Iss Nimanay tey bitiyan nayn
Kadi Saar wi layi O Rab Sayin
Teray Shah Nal Jag ki Kitiyan nayn
Kithay Dhons Polis Sarkar di ay
Kithay Dhandli Patwar Di ay
Enwain Huddan ich Kalpay Jan meri
Jeewan Phahi ich Koonj Kurlaondi Ay
Changa Shah Bnaya ei Rab Sayian
Polay khandiyan War na Ayondi ay
Mainu Shahi nai Chahidi Rab meray
Main tay Izzat da tukkar mangna han
Menu Tahng nai, mehlan mnarian di
Main tay Jeewan di Nukkar Mangna han
Meri Mannain tay tairian main mannan
Teri Sohn Jay ik wi gal moran
Jey Ayeh nai Pujdi tan Rabba fair
Main Jawan tay RAB Koi Hor loraan
-FAIZ AHMED FAIZ
Mera Tay Bus aina e kujh ay
Hissa Apnay Aap dy which
Jinna Raat day sunan walay da
Paar ay paer di chaap dy which
-MUNIR NIAZI
Jay tu chad ky tur jana si
Pyaar di khed rachai kio si
Dy ky kaol jy phir jana si
Dil di baazi lai kio si

Menu jisda dar si channa
Orak o gal ho kay rai
Paanway hun may moyaan wargi
Jeenwan gi par teray lai
Khoray meray ronday dil tay
Tenu taras kadi aa jaway
Khoray kich meri yadaan di
Tenu aithay kich liaway.-AHMED RAHI

Charsi naal meil sharabi da, nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda
Koi Sunni yaar wahabi da, Nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda

Sao sabun bhaway wartan pay, kanwaan nay baglay nahi hona Tappar to laththa chabi da, nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda

Buriyan nay kaar bhalaai da- na karna aay, na honi aay
Bhaliyaan to kam kharaabi da, nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda

Gharian which koh mukanday nay, jo banday udham walay nay
Sustaan to pandh shataabi da- nahi ho sakda, naho ho sakda

O baal Obeira, rul janday, jinna diyan Maawan mar jawan
Maa warga saaya Bhabhi da- nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda.
-OBEIR ABUZARI

Ajj da Din wi awaien e langiyaa, koi wi kam na hoya
Purab wallon’ chariya Suraj, Pachchim aan khaloya
Naa milya may khalqat nu, na yaad Khuda nu keeta
Naa may parhi Namaz tay naa may Jaam Sharaab da peeta
Khushi naa gham- koi kol na aya, naa hasya, naa royaa
Ajj da Din wi awaien e langiyaa, koi wi kam na hoya-MUNIR NIAZI

MAHTAB BASHIR

ISLAMABAD

0333 5363 248

mahtabbashir@gmail.com