Resurrecting the ethos
of Bharatiyata
Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav, a week-long celebration
from 4th to 11th December to mark our diverse linguistic
heritage and to commemorate the birth Anniversary of the revered Mahakavi
Subramania Bharati on December 11 is currently underway in all States and UTs.
‘Unity through Languages’ is the defining theme of this year’s celebration,
that captures the very essence of Bharat’s civilizational ethos. Just a couple
of months back, on 3rd October, 2024, the Union
Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a history
of sorts by conferring the status of Classical Languages to as many as five
languages - Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali, thus expanding the
ambit of already recognized six other Classical Languages such as Tamil,
Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia. A profound acknowledgement of
Bharat’s exalted linguistic heritage, this pronouncement makes each one of our
people having these languages a mother tongue, immensely proud.
India’s diverse languages are expressions of Bharatiyata and these are intrinsic to our Indian
Knowledge System. According to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all Indian
languages are national languages and they constitute the soul of Bharatiyata and hence, worthy of
reverence. Linguistic diversity
strengthens national unity and helps realize the goal of ‘Ek Bharat Sresth Bharat’. Each one of our people, therefore, must
wear linguistic pride as a badge of honour.
The Prime Minister exemplified this even at the global stage when he
emphatically said, “I proudly speak India's languages even at the UN. If it
takes a while for the listeners to applaud, so be it.” This assertion
underscores his commitment to preserving India’s linguistic diversity and
highlights the value of linguistic pride.
Bharat is a land where multiple languages not
only coexist but thrive. It is a living embodiment of the profound sublimity of
multilingualism. Our linguistic diversity forms a rich, intricate tapestry,
weaving together our national identity while nurturing the country’s unity
amidst bewildering diversity. This cultural strength faced massive erosion
during colonial rule. On 2nd February 1835, Thomas Babington
Macaulay presented a memorandum, known as "Macaulay's Minute on Indian
Education" to then Governor General of India, prioritizing English over
native tongues that sought to create a class of Indians loyal to British
interests, alienating generations from their cultural and linguistic roots.
Ever since, an unwholesome colonial legacy lingered over centuries, grievously
injuring our cultural and linguistic pride.
Bharat
has a rich and diverse lingual demographic, with an overwhelmingly eighty per
cent of the population identify themselves as Non-English, Native Language
speakers. At the core of deeper learning is the mother tongue. Our languages
are not just tools of communication—they are the repositories of history,
traditions, and folklore, preserving the collective wisdom of generations and
offering a unique worldview. Children, brimming with creativity and emotional
intelligence, flourish when their education begins in their native language. A
Primer in their mother tongue builds a seamless bridge from home to classroom,
guiding them from ‘mother’ tongue to ‘other’ tongue—transitioning from speaking
to writing, vocabulary to semantics, and language to subject comprehension. As
Rabindranath Tagore poignantly noted, “A child learns to speak not from
textbooks, but from his mother.” Education in the mother tongue fosters a
natural progression from basic understanding to complex thought.
Bharat’s
linguistic diversity is a treasure-trove of both intellectual and cultural
wealth. From the snow-capped peaks of Kashmir to the sun-drenched shores of
Kanyakumari, and from the arid expanses of Kutch to the verdant hills of
Kohima, our languages encapsulate the inner essence of our people. Teaching
children in their mother tongue not only preserves their connection to heritage
but also equips them for the future. By laying a robust foundation in the
native language, we can empower children to master other languages and subjects
with greater ease and comprehension.
The
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 copiously embraces this vision. Seeking to
reclaim our linguistic heritage, NEP places the mother tongue at the heart of
early education, acknowledging that language is not merely a tool for learning
but a core component of shaping identity, building confidence and fostering
cognitive development.
The
NEP 2020 necessitates equitable access to high-quality teaching and learning
materials in various Indian languages for greater learning outcomes. It places
strong emphasis on the fusion of technology with education, particularly in the
context of preserving and promoting the nation’s diverse linguistic heritage.
From Bhasha Sangam programme and Machine Translation Centre of National Council
of Educational Research and Training
to Anuvadini App based translation of books including technical books
in multiple Indian languages by All India Council for Technical Education
to ASMITA - Augmenting Study Materials
in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing - initiative by
University Grants Commission and
Bharatiya Bhasa Samiti, there have been
well-concerted efforts to create a robust ecosystem for promotion of Indian
languages so as to make education
inclusive.
Besides,
the Government’s groundbreaking initiative to produce Primers in 79 Indian
languages is a monumental step forward, guaranteeing that children during early
years, in rural, tribal, and remote areas receive quality education in their
native tongues. These Primers, alongside other educational materials, are more
than just resources—they are gateways to creativity, critical thinking, and
lifelong learning.
Language
shapes our thoughts, expresses our emotions, and connects us to our cultural
roots. The NEP 2020 heralds a new era, where children can learn in their mother
tongue and gradually master other languages. By decolonizing our education
system, we seek to nurturing a generation of thinkers who will not only excel
academically but also champion Bharat’s rich cultural heritage. This
transformation is not merely a policy shift—it represents a cultural
renaissance.
As
we look to the future, Bharat’s linguistic diversity will be a cornerstone of
educational excellence and socio-cultural and economic advancement. In this
Amrit Kaal, as we pursue a Vikasit Bharat agenda, our mother tongues are
poised to become powerful vehicles of development. Let us make our linguistic
heritage the fulcrum of our progress, as Bharat ascends on the global stage.
(The author is the Union Minister of
Education. The views expressed are personal. A PIB Feature)
