Why in news:

• The language and cultural heritage of Rajasthan was celebrated with fervour at the Consulate General of India on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, showcasing the state’s rich flavours and vibrant colours.

Key Points:

• The Consulate and Jaipur Foot USA organised the special celebration of the language and cultural heritage of Rajasthan as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ on occasion of the 75th year of India’s independence.
• It was the nation of Bangladesh that started the initiative to celebrate International Mother Language Day.
• It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since 2000 on February 21.
• The people of India, irrespective of their mother tongue, are in some way or the other connected with the diverse and rich languages and dialects spoken across the country.
• Jaipur Foot USA Chairman and international convener of Akhil Bharatiya Rajasthani Bhasha Manyata Sangharsh Samiti speaking on he occasion, citing Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, underscored the importance of the mother language in a person’s life and children’s upbringing and development.
• The convener of Akhil Bharatiya Rajasthani Bhasha Manyata Sangharsh Samiti requested Prime Minister of India to include Rajasthani and Bhojpuri languages in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• He also requested Rajasthan Chief Minister to make Rajasthani as “Raj Bhasha.” On the occasion, he also announced that a Jaipur Foot camp will be sponsored by US-based globally renowned physician Dr Subhash Jain in Jodhpur’s Khichan village.
• Dr Subhash Jain, who has been an attending physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, will be spending over Rs 1 crore for the camp in which Jaipur Foot fitments, calipers, wheelchairs and tricycles and other health-related equipment will be provided free of cost to the specially-abled.
• The camp is aimed at benefiting not just those in need from Rajasthan but from any state across India.
• The camp by Jaipur Foot organisation Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti-BMVSS, led by Padma Bhushan D.R. Mehta, will be held on the occasion of the 131st birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.
• A Jaipur foot artificial limb camp was also held in Sri Lanka. The limb fitment camp was inaugurated as part of the week-long celebrations to mark ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – 75 years of India’s Independence.
• This was the 18th camp so far, with others being held in nearly 14 countries, sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs under the India for Humanity initiative.
   
• On the occasion, a young Indian-origin girl Riya Dadheech enthralled the audience with her performance of a Rajasthani dance.
• Riya Dadheech, through her organisation Purple Paint, sells her artwork and donates all the funds she raises to build toilets in schools in India.
• Through the sale of her artwork, she has so far raised about USD 45,000 for the cause- ‘Girls, dignity and empowerment.’
• In these schools, there’s a lack of toilet facilities and because of that girls drop out of school and are not able to pursue their education. Dadheech has pledged to build about 500 toilets and has so far built 62 toilets working with NGOs in India.

By: A D Singh