Bengal united culturally, divided politically: Amartya
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Sunday said, Bengal was divided on political and historical grounds, not on the basis of culture or language.
The foundation of unity of the people of the region is cultural harmony, not politics, he said adding: “We are still pursuing the same culture, heritage and language although Bangalis live in two parts of the subcontinent.”
He was speaking on the second day of the First International Bengali Convention 2012 held at the DU Senate Bhaban London-based organisation Bangali International organised the convention as part of its programme to observe Amar Ekushey.
He said, the cultural similarities among people between the two Bengals are more powerful than politics. The resemblance of Bengalis in their literature, music and civilization is more powerful than political division .Recalling the past heritage of the region he said, Bengal was not always poor rather it was full of resources. Its acceptability and adaptability makes it wealthy. Foreign nationals like the Dutch, French, English, and the Danish always tried to keep their communication with this nation.
Terming Bengali as a live and wealthy language, the Nobel laureate said, the power of Bengali language to put up words, sound and expression is very praiseworthy than any other languages.
Addressing the meeting he said, the language has been enriched through the process of “adopting and avoiding”. “So, there is no reason for inferiority complex,” he said. Dwelling in the various aspects of Bengali civilization he specially stressed on the historical developments of ancient Bengal’s socio-cultural pattern and cross-cultural adaptability of Bengali language. He pointed out how the Bengali language was enriched by Baul, Hasan and other ethnic and religious groups.
Scholars, academics, teachers and students attended the discussion while noted economist Rehman Sobhan presided over the discussion. Audiences who attended the programme exchanged views with the Noble laureate and asked questions mainly focusing on the evaluation of Bengali language, its culture and practices among people of this region.
When asked for the reasons of why some Bengali people prefer to speak in English Amartya said, “They are depriving themselves of the beauty and greatness of Bengali language.”
Some people even asked why steps are not being taken to make Bengali as a world language. Amartya said, the definition of “world language” is its utility and benefits should be known clearly first before we can proceed.
Source: The Independent
