All languages equally worthy of respect: Mamata
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday extended greetings to people on International Mother Language Day, asserting that all languages are equally worthy of respect and must be protected from any form of "attack".
Paying tributes to those killed during language movements, Banerjee said her government honours linguistic diversity and has accorded official recognition to several languages.
She said Bengali is not only a language of great literary heritage but part of a broader commitment to respecting all linguistic communities.
"We have also ensured that every person, whatever the language they speak, has the opportunity to study in their mother tongue in the state," she said in a post on X.
Banerjee said the state has set up language academies for several linguistic groups.
"On this sacred day, we reaffirm our pledge that if any language comes under attack, we will all stand united against it. All languages deserve equal respect," she said.
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Kohli's U-19 teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill dies at 36
New Delhi (PTI): Former India U-19 and Punjab medium pacer Amanpreet Singh Gill died at the age of 36 in Chandigarh on Wednesday, leaving the cricket fraternity in mourning.
The cause of death is not yet known.
Gill, who was Virat Kohli's U-19 teammate, featured in six first-class matches for Punjab, picking up 11 wickets.
He was also part of the Punjab franchise (Kings XI Punjab) in the inaugural Indian Premier League season, and later served as a member of Punjab's senior selection committee.
"Punjab Cricket Association deeply mourns the sad demise of Amanpreet Singh Gill, former Punjab cricketer and Member, Senior Selection Committee Punjab,” the Punjab Cricket Association announced on X.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family in this difficult time."
Two-time World Cup-winning India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also paid tribute to Gill.
"Deeply saddened to hear about Amanpreet Singh Gill’s passing. Shared the dressing room in our early days, he was a quiet, hardworking cricketer who loved the game. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Om Shanti,” Singh posted on X.
Gill played five Youth ODIs and one Youth Test for India in 2007.
In the longer format, he claimed the wicket of former Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera.
However, he did not make the Virat Kohli-led India U-19 side that went on to win the 2008 World Cup.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Amanpreet Singh Shergill, who proudly represented Punjab and was a part of the Punjab Kings family. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity,” Punjab Kings posted on their official Instagram account.
