To mark the birth anniversary of renowned 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.
Dr. Shams Equbal, Director of NCPUL, delivered the welcome address. He said, “Those who forget their mother tongue are as good as dead,” stressing the essential role of the mother tongue in preserving civilization, history, and identity. Dr. Equbal also reflected on Subramania Bharati’s legacy, calling him a luminary in Indian culture and a trailblazer in Tamil literature. Bharati’s contributions included a Tamil translation of the Bhagavad Gita.
The discussion featured insightful remarks from several distinguished speakers, who explored the link between linguistic diversity and cultural identity.
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Chairing the event, Professor Anisur Rahman remarked, “Languages do not die; they evolve.” He discussed how mother tongues are deeply connected to both personal and collective experiences.
Professor Dhananjay Singh added, “The mother tongue is not something we learn; it is the language in which we grow. Some languages are so intrinsic that they can be understood without being spoken.”
Professor Ravi Prakash Tekchandani emphasized, “India’s native languages evoke a sense of belonging. We should celebrate the richness of all languages.” He concluded, “Languages without boundaries are the ones that endure.”
Professor Khalid Javed passionately stated, “The mother tongue is the language of the soul. A world with just one language would be devoid of beauty and diversity.” He also noted, “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, highlighting how many progressed from dialects to fully developed systems. However, he noted, some languages have suffered under colonial domination.
The event also included a warm welcome for the guests, who were presented with floral bouquets. The program was conducted by Dr. Abdul Bari and was attended by NCPUL staff, along with intellectuals and dignitaries from Delhi.