KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has pointed out the need to protect endangered languages as civilisation and culture are the valuable properties of the nation.

Addressing a poetry recitation programme organised by the Nepal Academy on the occasion of International Mother Language Day (IMLD) here today, President Bhandari expressed her confidence that the Language Commission would help preserve and promote the languages at risk of extinction.

February 21 is marked as the International Language Day aimed at promoting awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism across the globe.

Also speaking at the programme, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams shared details of the linguistic movement in Bangladesh.

Nepal Academy Chancellor Ganga Prasad Upreti said that Nepal started marking this day by organising various programmes since 2012 in a bid to protect all languages.

On the occasion, poets had recited their poems in 53 languages including Abadhi, Aathpariya, Urdu, Kisan, Kulung Tamang, Thakali, Bantawa, Kham, Tharu, Nepal Bhasha, Humli, Magar Kham, among others.