Participants delivered impactful recitations of Atal Ji’s poems and paid a heartfelt tribute to his literary contributions through the competition

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, the State Bank of India, Surat Module, organized the dignified “Atal Kavyanjali” competition. The event was held under the auspices of the City Official Language Implementation Committee, Surat, where officers and employees from various banks enthusiastically participated, demonstrating their commitment to their mother tongue.

It is noteworthy that in commemoration of the birth centenary year of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the State Bank of India is organizing “Atal Kavyanjali” competitions at various levels throughout the year. The event held in Surat on International Mother Language Day is an important and inspiring link in that series. Through the competition, participants delivered impactful recitations of Atal Ji’s poems and paid a heartfelt tribute to his literary contributions.

The program was presided over by the Assistant General Manager of SBI. In his presidential address, he stated that the mother tongue is the foundation of our personality. The event saw the special presence of the Member Secretary of the City Official Language Implementation Committee, Surat; the Official Language Manager of Punjab National Bank; the Official Language Officer of Bank of India; and the Official Language Officer of Union Bank of India.

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While recalling Atal Ji’s literary contributions, participants were called upon to play an active role in promoting Hindi and other Indian languages. Through impressive presentations, the participants brought to life the patriotism, sensitivity, and optimism inherent in Atal Ji’s poetry.

Finally, the Chief Manager of SBI expressed gratitude. This event proved to be a significant and meaningful initiative towards respecting the mother tongue, promoting Hindi, and fostering literary values.

International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on February 21st to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 and honors the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), where students protested for the recognition of Bangla as an official language and were killed. The day now serves as a reminder to protect all mother tongues from disappearing.

Atal Kavyanjali

“Atal Kavyanjali” is a poetic and cultural tribute dedicated to the former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was also a renowned poet. It typically refers to events or anthologies where poets gather to recite verses in his honor, celebrating his literary and political legacy. The concept emerged posthumously as a means to commemorate his contributions to Indian literature and public life.

State Bank of India

The State Bank of India (SBI) is India’s largest public sector bank and financial institution, tracing its origins to the Bank of Calcutta founded in 1806. It was nationalized and formally established in its current structure in 1955, playing a pivotal role in the country’s economic development. Today, it operates a vast network of branches both within India and internationally, serving millions of customers.

City Official Language Implementation Committee, Surat

The City Official Language Implementation Committee in Surat is a municipal body responsible for promoting and implementing the use of Gujarati, the official language of the state of Gujarat, in the city’s government and administrative work. Established as part of broader state-level language policies, its history is tied to post-independence efforts in India to strengthen regional languages in public spheres. The committee works to ensure Gujarati is used in official documents, signage, and communications within Surat’s civic administration.

Bharat Ratna

“Bharat Ratna” is not a physical place or cultural site, but India’s highest civilian award, established in 1954. It is conferred in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. Its recipients have included notable figures from India’s history such as its first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, scientist C.V. Raman, and others who have made transformative contributions to the nation.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

“Atal Bihari Vajpayee” refers primarily to a person—Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018), a revered Indian statesman and three-time Prime Minister of India. However, several places are named in his honor, most notably the **Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Airport** in Lucknow and the **Atal Tunnel** in Himachal Pradesh, which stand as modern infrastructure tributes to his legacy of leadership and development.

Punjab National Bank

Punjab National Bank (PNB) is a major public sector bank in India, founded in 1894 in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was established by Indian leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai to promote self-reliance and financial independence during the colonial era. Today, it is one of India’s oldest and largest banks, playing a significant role in the country’s banking history and economic development.

Bank of India

The Bank of India is a major public sector bank and financial services company founded in 1906 in Mumbai (then Bombay) during the British colonial era. It was established by a group of eminent businessmen and played a significant role in supporting Indian commerce and industry, later being nationalized in 1969 along with other major banks to expand banking services across the nation. Today, it is one of India’s largest banks with a vast domestic and international network.