NCPUL Hosts Discussion on ‘The Importance of Mother Tongue in The Linguistic Diversity of India’
New Delhi: To mark the birth anniversary of the eminent Tamil poet, writer, journalist, and freedom fighter Subramania Bharati, the National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) organized a discussion under the Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav . The event, titled ‘The Importance of Mother Tongue in The Linguistic Diversity of India,’ was held at the India International Centre, New Delhi.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Shams Equbal, Director of NCPUL, profoundly stated, “Those who forget their mother tongue are as good as dead.” He emphasized the indispensable role of the mother tongue in preserving our civilization, history, values, and identity. Reflecting on the legacy of Subramania Bharati, Dr. Equbal described him as a luminary of Indian culture and a pioneer of Tamil literature, whose contributions included remarkable works like the Tamil translation of the Bhagavad Gita.
The discussion saw thought-provoking insights from distinguished speakers, all underscoring the vital connection between linguistic diversity and cultural identity.
Chairing the event, Professor Anisur Rahman observed, “Languages do not die; they evolve.” He highlighted the layered nature of mother tongues and their deep ties to personal and collective experiences.
Professor Dhananjay Singh remarked, “The mother tongue is not something we learn; it is a language in which we grow. Some languages are so intrinsic that they can be understood without being spoken.”
Professor Ravi Prakash Tekchandani stated, “India’s native languages evoke a profound sense of belonging. We should open our hearts and minds to all languages and celebrate their richness.” He added, “Languages without boundaries are the ones that truly endure.”
Professor Khalid Javed passionately asserted, “The mother tongue is the language of the soul. A world with just one language would be devoid of beauty and diversity.” He elaborated, “Creative language often conveys what it does not explicitly say, and the mother tongue is the language in which we dream.”
Professor Akhlaq Ahmed Ahan reflected on the evolution of Indian languages, noting, “Many languages have progressed from dialects to fully developed linguistic systems. However, some have suffered due to colonial domination.”
The event also featured a warm welcome for the guests, who were presented with floral bouquets. The program was skillfully conducted by Dr. Abdul Bari, and it drew the participation of NCPUL staff alongside prominent intellectuals and dignitaries from Delhi.
