Mysuru: Maintaining that languages help in bonding people across the country, Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Prakash Javadekar has said that languages also help in building friendship in a multi-cultural society like in India. He was speaking after inaugurating the new premises of the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada, CIIL, at the University of Mysore (UoM) campus, Manasagangothri here this morning.

Pointing out that there were 22 official languages in the country, Javadekar said India was a perfect example for the caption ‘Many Languages-One world.’

Outlining the initiatives of HRD for the promotion of all Indian languages, he said that the HRD was always supportive of innovative ideas of CIIL and other Institutions of language.

Highlighting that ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ concept was aimed at bonding the people of the country, he underlined the need for educating children in their mother tongue, considering that children can comprehend the subject much better in their mother tongue. Noting that the number of people speaking Hindi is growing by the day worldwide, he said that the Centre has come up with a vision document to further promote the language globally.

Recalling his visits to Karnataka, he said that Kannada Naadageethe was simply beautiful. Asserting that the Centre was not discriminating between languages, he said that his Ministry has proposed to hold a national workshop by inviting scholars from all the 22 main regional languages.

Underlining the significance of translation in promotion of languages, he said that a few agencies such as Google have come forward with a proposal of translating literary and other works into all other languages of the country.

Stating that every language has 10 to 22 lakh words, he reiterated that the Centre was committed to the promotion of every regional language and has a 15 year vision for the same.

Javadekar released the volumes of the epic ‘Bala Ramayana’ that has been translated into several Indian languages on the occasion.

UoM In-charge VC Prof. C. Basavaraju, in his address, said that UoM is providing a building on lease at Managangothri campus to accommodate the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada, for which the UoM has signed a MoU with CIIL.

He appealed the Union Minister not to shift the Centre from Mysuru, as the city is an ideal place for effective functioning and co-ordinating with various institutions that are working for promotion of Kannada.

CIIL Director Dr. D.G. Rao, Centre Co-ordinator Prof. Durgadas and others were present.

Minister evasive on KSOU recognition: Replying to a query by reporters on the sidelines of the event on granting re-recognition to KSOU, Prakash Javadekar merely said that he will discuss the issue in depth with the authorities concerned.