The language committee proposed the date of 11 December as ‘Indian Language Day’ or ‘Indian Language Festival’. UGC has directed all colleges to celebrate it.
Image Credit source: UGC Notice
University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all higher education institutions to observe ‘Indian Language Day’ on 11th December. In a notice, the UGC said that this day is a day to create ‘language harmony’ and a conducive environment for learning. Following the recommendations of the Indian Language Committee, the Commission has written a letter to the Vice Chancellors and Principals of all Universities and Colleges in this regard. The Indian Language Committee was constituted by the Ministry of Education last year.
Apart from mastering one’s mother tongue, there is a need to develop a conducive environment for learning more and more Indian languages, the letter said. At the same time there is a need to create ‘language harmony’ to develop an attitude and aptitude to love and enjoy the neighboring language.’ It was further stated that learning/speaking any other Indian language should be a pleasant and memorable experience.
What is the importance of this day?
In fact, the Bhasha Committee proposed the date of December 11 as ‘Indian Language Day’ or ‘Indian Language Festival’, as the day marks the birth anniversary of Subramanya Bharathi, the pioneer of modern Tamil poetry. Subramaniam Bharti wrote songs to encourage patriotism during the freedom movement.
Chamu Krishna Shastri, President of the Language Committee, said, “In order to strengthen multilingualism, encourage people to learn more languages and make people feel unity in diversity, celebrating Indian Language Day and celebrating it as an Indian language festival. I have been recommended to celebrate.
How will Language Day be celebrated?
The central government will also set up 22 language centers to promote Indian languages. The UGC has also shared a concept note of the proposal, which explains how universities and colleges will celebrate the day through competitions, games, exhibitions and other activities. They will felicitate students who know multiple languages or can read scripts of major Indian languages.
: Language Inputs