Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (I/C) and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, and Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar attended the valedictory function of Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav today in New Delhi. Secretary, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar; Additional Secretaries Shri Anandrao V. Patil and Shri Anil Kumar Singhal, Ministry of Education; Chairman of Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, Prof. Chamu Krishna Shastry; other officials of the Ministry, academicians, heads of Autonomous Organisations, and students were also present there.
Twenty-five new primers in various Indian languages were also released during the event. These add to the 79 primers already released by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. An exhibition was also set up by Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, NCERT, NIOS, AICTE, CBSE and State SCERTs. Students presented welcome songs and multilingual patriotic song during the event.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary, in his address, praised the initiative and emphasized how such events contribute to uniting the nation. He briefly recounted the life and works of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, highlighting his contributions as a freedom fighter and a great scholar. He remarked that bhasha is the medium through which inner humanity is expressed, and preserving it will give life to Subramania Bharati’s words that ‘Man is immortal.’
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, while addressing the event, congratulated the organizers for conceptualizing the event and praised the exhibition showcasing experiments involving various Indian languages. He paid his respects to Mahakavi Subramania Bharati for his contributions to uniting all languages. He emphasized that language is meant to connect people, not to create divisions among them. He added that it is essential for everyone to respect every language as they respect their mother tongue.
Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav is a weeklong celebration by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education to commemorate the birth anniversary of the revered Mahakavi Subramnaia Bharati, on 11 December 2024. This year’s theme is “Unity through Languages/”भाषाओं के माध्यम से एकता”. This celebration serves as a tribute to Mahakavi Bharati and aims to promote and celebrate the linguistic diversity that is intrinsic to the cultural fabric of our nation.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the importance of languages (Mother tongue-based education and multilingualism) and a holistic approach to education that values and preserves the linguistic heritage of our country and fosters a sense of pride and appreciation for the multitude of languages that enrich our society.
In alignment to the NEP 2020 and this year’s theme of the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav, a series of cultural events, competitions, and educational activities were planned from 4th to 11th December 2024 to highlight the importance of language in preserving our cultural identity and promoting unity among our citizens; foster a deeper appreciation for Indian languages and literature among students at school level; encourage multilingualism, Indian Language medium of education and research; and inspire and create a new generation of language enthusiasts.
The schools across the country have celebrated the Utsav with day-specific activities such as Harmony in Languages and Nature; Blending Languages and Technology: The Power of Words in the Digital Age; Language and Literature: The Intersection; Language Fair; The Eloquence of Expression” Oratory skill activities; Language and Community; and Language, Culture, and Us: A Regional Fiesta.
