National Education Policy 2020 highlights multilingualism and visualizes Indian languages as a great tool for national unity

Update: 2022-12-05 16:31 GMT



Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav


India has a rich linguistic heritage. The National Education Policy 2020 highlights


multilingualism and visualises Indian languages as a great tool for national unity. It suggests


that the students of the country should be encouraged to learn the importance of Indian


languages under the 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' initiative.


Indian languages share common phonetics and scripts, they have common grammatical


structures, and the origins and sources of the vocabularies are from classical languages of


India. Their diversities are also linguistically as rich as their inter-influences. Celebrating


'Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav' will give us all a sense of unity and introduce us to the beautiful


cultural heritage and diversity of India as we meet people from other parts of the country.


From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, there are hundreds of languages spoken in India. Despite so


many languages, we live together in love and peace. While 'Unity in Diversity' defines the


social fabric of our country, 'Diversity in Unity' is another one of our unique features.


Bharatiya Bhashas, with their inherent similarities and commonalities, are very important


elements of this concept of Diversity in Unity'and serve to bind us together.


Bharatiya languages have co-existed, complemented and nurtured each other throughout the


ages. Languages shape the mind and wisdom of the society. Languages bring the people


together. There is a need to strengthen 'language harmony,' to develop a conducive


environment for learning more and more Indian languages apart from mastering one's own


mother tongue, and an attitude and aptitude to love and enjoy the 'neighbouring language.'


Learning/speaking another Indian language should be made a fashion/matter of prestige, a


matter of joy and cherishing experience!


To spark and encourage an enthusiasm for learning Indian languages, it is proposed to


observe Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav on 11th December on the Janma Jayanti of Subramania


Bharati, the great nationalist poet. Subramania Bharati was popularly known as "Mahakavi


Bharati", a freedom fighter and a social reformer in Tamil Nadu. He was one of the first to


speak about India as one entity. He gave emphasis on the need for national integration and


motivated Indians to ignore regional differences and think of all as one, i.e., Indians, in his


writings. This gave a strong message on Indian oneness. His poems bring out the best of each


region and how they should be brought together for the glorious future of the country.


Though Mahakavi Bharathi was conversant with 11 languages, he emphatically declared in


one of his poetic works that the sweetness of Tamil language is unparalleled. In an


autobiographical poem, Bharathi launched a scathing attack on the denial of opportunity to


study in the medium of mother tongue in primary education, citing his own predicament. Far


from being emotional, Bharati envisioned translation of scientific works from many lands


into Tamil. All the same, he cautioned against punditry in linguistic expression and aspired


for recognition to works in simple Tamil, indeed a far-sighted appeal, as it emanated from


across a century. Bharati wanted the nectar-like Tamil language to resonate across the globe.


He applied the knowledge of the illustrious past to contemporary realities and dreamt of


shaping a new brighter future. He was a man with extraordinary vision, passion and erudition.


It is proposed to celebrate the Janma Jayanti of the great poet as a full day 'Bhasha Utsav' in


universities, colleges and schools across the country.Students, faculty, parents and society


members will participate in various cultural activities throughout the day.


Objectives are to acquaint the students and the youth about the inherent oneness of all


Bhartiya Bhashas, i.e., the concept of 'Bhartiya Bhasha Parivar', to celebrate the rich variety


and wonders of Bhartiya Bhashas, to make the students and the youth aware about the


spiritual and cultural message emanating from the literature of all Bhashas, to show how


language learning can be a fun and enjoyable experience, and to highlight the need to focus


on Bhartiya Bhashas for the development of the nation and "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat".


All the schools, colleges, universities and INIs will organize the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav. The


Utsav will have:


a) Exhibitions of basic & interesting information about Bhartiya Bhashas, information about


letter, scripts, history of language, common words, key historical figures, famous literature,


etc. and the historical, cultural and spiritual unity of all Bhartiya Bhashas


b) Tech Zone - Tech-savvy amenities showing different tools and software that students may


use to learn languages, do machine translation, etc. and down-loading and teaching few


simple tools.


c) My Language My Signature' campaign to promote the habit of signing in Bhartiya Bhasha,


Sign on dedicated boards for the purpose and upload selfies, E-Certification may be provided


in multiple languages


d) Bhasha Stalls- one dedicated stall of the language of the region and at least one stall for


languages of some other region, Books and Literature in different languages and Language


Games.


e) Competitions - Language Quiz, Speech/Debate/Extempore in different languages, Poetry


recitation & Essay writing competition in various languages


f) Cultural programs - Creative performances depicting Lok-parampara and folk-art forms,


Open mic/stage sessions, Street plays & dramas etc.






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