International Mother Language Day
Jointly Organized by
Department of Languages
&
Samrat Ashoka Subharti School of Buddhist Studies
(Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
Swami Vivekananda Subharti University,
Meerut On 21 February 2024
International Mother Language Day was celebrated on February 21, 2024, by Department of Language and Samrat Ashoka Subharti School of Buddhist Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut. The inauguration of the event commenced with the lighting of the lamp and recitation of mantras at the meditation center. Dr. Seema Sharma, Head of the Department of Language and Coordinator of the event, emphasized the significance of mother tongue in the development of individuals. She highlighted that the power lies in one’s mother tongue to articulate emotions, thoughts, concerns, and mysteries concealed within the human heart into words. She stressed that advancement is impossible without the mother tongue and lauded the emphasis given to mother tongue and multilingualism in the National Education Policy 2020.
The event, chaired by Prof. Dr. Sudhir Tyagi, Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, directed at preserving the diverse cultures and intellectual heritage of various regions worldwide and safeguarding mother languages. Dr. Pallabi Mukherjee, Co-coordinator of the event, stated that the mother tongue binds us with nationalism and inspires feelings of patriotism. Prof. Rajeshwar Pal underscored the importance of multilingual education.
During the event, Dr. Manisha Luther, Dr. Shobha Ratudi, Dr. Yashpal, Dr. Ashish Kumar, Swati Sharma, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, and Dr. Vivek Kumar presented their views on International Mother Language Day. The active participation of students and scholars from the Language Department, Buddhist Studies, and Liberal Arts, including those from Myanmar and Vietnam, was noteworthy. The event was guided by Dr. Hero Hito, Advisor to the Samrat Ashoka Subharti School of Buddhist Studies. Assistant Professor Swati Sharma managed the program, and Dr. Seema Sharma, Head Language of Department, expressed gratitude to all participants.
Objectives of the International Mother Language Day celebration:-
Promotion of Linguistic Diversity: The event aims to celebrate and promote linguistic diversity by recognizing the importance of mother languages in preserving cultural heritage and fostering mutual understanding among communities.
Advocacy for Mother Tongue Education: It seeks to advocate for the inclusion of mother tongue education in educational policies and practices as a fundamental right of individuals, emphasizing its role in cognitive development and academic achievement.
Cultural Preservation: The event intends to highlight the significance of mother languages in preserving cultural identity and transmitting traditional knowledge from generation to generation.
Promotion of Multilingualism: It aims to promote multilingualism as a means of enriching communication, fostering tolerance, and bridging cultural divides in a globalized world.
Empowerment through Language: The event seeks to empower individuals by encouraging them to take pride in their mother tongues, thereby enhancing self-esteem and confidence in expressing oneself effectively.
Awareness Building: It aims to raise awareness among policymakers, educators, and the general public about the importance of linguistic diversity and the need to safeguard endangered languages.
Fostering Inclusivity: The event endeavors to create an inclusive environment where speakers of all languages feel valued