CIIL Mysuru Hosts Academic Events for International Mother Language Day
The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in Mysuru organized a significant celebration on Friday to mark International Mother Language Day. The event featured comprehensive academic deliberations, multiple book releases, and in-depth discussions focused on the future of multilingual education in India.
Principal Sethy Highlights Mother Tongue's Role in Education and Nation-Building
Pradyumna Kumar Sethy, principal of the Regional Institute of Education (NCERT) in Mysuru, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the fundamental importance of mother tongue in both educational development and national progress. He pointed to India's extraordinary linguistic diversity, noting the country officially recognizes 22 scheduled languages alongside hundreds of other regional and local languages spoken across different states and territories.
"Mother tongue is not merely a medium of communication but the voice of our culture and ancestors," Sethy remarked passionately, urging citizens to actively preserve their linguistic heritage while simultaneously embracing global opportunities.
National Education Policy 2020 and Early Childhood Education
Sethy specifically referenced the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, underlining its crucial recommendation for imparting early education in children's mother tongue. He explained how this approach strengthens cognitive development, enhances learning outcomes, and reinforces cultural identity from foundational years.
Drawing from extensive academic experiences, Sethy illustrated how language barriers frequently disadvantage talented students from non-dominant language backgrounds. He stressed that providing access to examinations and knowledge resources in one's mother tongue is essential for ensuring educational equity and social inclusion across India's diverse population.
Commemorating Language Movements and Promoting Multilingualism
The principal recalled various historical language movements, noting that International Mother Language Day commemorates the sacrifice of language martyrs while reinforcing the contemporary need to actively promote multilingualism. Sethy argued persuasively that languages must coexist rather than compete, cautioning strongly against creating linguistic hierarchies or imposing any single language over others.
He called for greater mutual respect among all linguistic communities and emphasized the need for increased production of academic and literary knowledge in Indian languages to strengthen their intellectual foundations.
Artificial Intelligence's Transformative Potential for Indian Languages
CIIL director Shailendra Mohan highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in promoting and preserving Indian languages. According to an official release, Mohan described recent advances in AI-driven translation technologies that work across multiple Indian languages, characterizing these technological tools as powerful instruments for both emotional and national integration.
Mohan specifically encouraged youth participation in creating comprehensive digital resources and expansive knowledge bases in Indian languages. This call to action aligns perfectly with this year's International Mother Language Day theme, which deliberately foregrounds youth voices and perspectives on multilingual education initiatives.
The director emphasized that technology, particularly AI, can serve as a bridge connecting India's linguistic diversity with global digital platforms, ensuring that Indian languages thrive in the twenty-first century while maintaining their cultural authenticity and historical significance.
