International Mother Language Day celebrated

Mysuru:  The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, celebrated International Mother Language Day on Feb. 21, underscoring India’s dedication to linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. It also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka Police Academy (KPA), Mysuru.

The keynote address was delivered by Padma Bhushan Prof. Kapil Kapoor, former Professor of Linguistics,  Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, in a virtual mode.

Prof. Kapoor revisited the historical contributions of India’s indigenous educational systems and their lasting impact on modern education.

“Sanskrit has contributed to the word resources of all the languages, which makes the understanding of languages easy. The education system that existed during the colonial rule, exists till date, with English being portrayed as the key for securing job. Such a trend should change, as every mother tongue can be considered as international language,” he said.

Mother tongue should be the language of learning, as the knowledge of English alone cannot be considered as a tool to evaluate man’s intellectual knowledge. Sanskrit is neither dead, but the knowledge of Sanskrit should be considered supreme. The National Education Policy (NEP) has been formulated to preserve all the mother tongues, considering which the students should be taught at schools, where mother tongue is the medium of instruction, suggested Prof. Kapoor.

All the languages are rich repository of knowledge and hence more impetus should be given to teaching the kids in mother tongue. It is a wrong notion that Science cannot be taught in mother tongue, as the treasure-trove of alternative words exists in all the Indian languages.

During 9th and 10th centuries, Persian and Arabic were considered as National languages, which were used in communication extensively from Rome to India. As the scenario of power changed globally, languages like French, Russian, Spanish and English replaced Arabic and Persian languages.

Reflecting on the global experiences, S.L.  Channabasavanna, Director of KPA, shared insights from his tenure in South Sudan with the UN Peacekeeping Mission. He noted the global admiration for India’s unity amidst rich diversity.

CIIL Director Prof. Shailendra Mohan outlined the significance of International Mother Language Day and detailed CIIL’s initiatives aimed at reinforcing India’s mother tongues.

Earlier, in his inaugural address, Prof. R.C. Sharma, former Professor of Linguistics, University of Delhi, who was the chief guest, emphasised the critical role of mother languages in cognitive development and educational achievement.

He stated, “Prior to the dominance of English as the medium of instruction, India’s educational landscape flourished under the tutelage of native languages.”

The event concluded with a vibrant cultural showcase, “Badagara Aaata Paata,” featuring the traditions of the Badaga community from Tamil Nadu. The programme also included dance performances from various Indian States, celebrating the country’s cultural plurality.

Delivering the valedictory address, Akhilesh Mishra, IFS, Ambassador of India to Ireland, underscored the indispensable role of mother languages in maintaining India’s cultural continuity and advocated for their preservation as part of the national heritage.

He praised various Government initiatives like NEP-2020 and Kashi Tamil Sangamam, for their role in promoting linguistic and cultural diversity.

The event commenced with a warm welcome by Dr. Pankaj Dwivedi, Assistant Director (Administration), CIIL, who introduced the dignitaries.

The MoU signed between CIIL and KPA focuses on following features:

Language Training: Tailored programmes by CIIL to bolster Karnataka Police Officers’ proficiency in diverse Indian languages, enhancing their communication and cultural understanding.

Security and Skill Development: KPA will extend specialised training in security disciplines, including cyber security and background checks, enriching the capabilities of both the institutions.