Students must learn one additional Indian language besides mother tongue: HM Amit Shah
Kolkata, July 19
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday urged students to learn at least one additional Indian language besides their mother tongue to appreciate the country's diversity.
"The language diversity in India carries the rich heritage of the country. Only through language can one understand a nation's culture. Hence, it is necessary for every student to learn at least one additional Indian language besides his or her own mother tongue," Shah said while addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Museum of Word at the National Library campus in Kolkata.
Speaking on the occasion, Shah said the Museum of Word is a new feather in Kolkata's crown. Its largest gallery is the 'Timeline of Languages'.
"This museum will showcase the evolution of 22 Indian languages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of this museum in 2020. It has been created as per his instructions and plans. There is no place for narrow‑mindedness in our country. Narrow‑mindedness cannot be the identity of Indian culture. We cannot create obstacles in anyone's way of judging," the Union Home Minister said.
Also present on the occasion was West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who said the current Union Government was placing special emphasis on establishing the Bengali language in its full dignity and making it more widely recognised globally.
The first phase of the museum, which is being built under the Union Ministry of Culture, cost around Rs 14 crore. The total cost of the entire project is estimated at around Rs 41 crore. There are nine galleries, each showcasing the history of Indian languages from a different perspective.
Each gallery features a collection of preserved words, ancient manuscripts, inscriptions, documents on the evolution of various scripts, and interactive presentations of language development using modern digital technology.
Visitors will get the opportunity to see thousands of years of linguistic evolution under one roof. According to government sources, this museum will not only be a language preservation project but also a permanent record of India's multilingual cultural heritage.
At the same time, it will convey the message of equal status and spread of every language in the country, including Bengali.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I agree that learning languages is important, but why make it mandatory? Students already have so much pressure with math, science, and competitive exams. In South India, many of us already study three languages (mother tongue, Hindi, English). This could add more stress. 😕
Shah ji has a point. When I traveled to Tamil Nadu for work, not knowing Tamil made simple tasks like ordering food difficult. If schools teach languages like Marathi, Gujarati, or Oriya alongside Hindi, we'll truly understand India's diversity. But implementation needs careful thought.
The Museum of Word sounds fascinating! Imagine seeing ancient Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions or old Bengali scripts in one place. This could be a great tourist attraction too. But I hope the focus isn't only on Sanskrit or Hindi - all 22 languages should get equal space.
Practical challenge: In many government schools, there's already a shortage of qualified language teachers. Asking students to learn an additional language without proper resources will just lead to rote learning. Fund the education system properly first.
As a Bengali growing up in Mumbai, I love this idea! My parents made sure I learned Bengali at home, and now I can read Tagore in the original. Language connects us to our heritage. But why always make it compulsory? Voluntary exposure works better for younger kids.
J We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.