Matribhasha Diwas Celebrated at IIT Bhubaneshwar

23rd Feb, 2021, Bhubaneshwar: Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneshwar celebrated the Matribhasha Diwas to commemorate the “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society”, the theme observed by UNESCO this year to promote the use of mother tongues for fuller awareness of the linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world. The Ministry of Education is celebrating it as “Matribhasha Diwas” all over India with the objective of sensitizing the people on the need for the greater use of mother tongues and other Indian languages for development and progress of the nation. Smt. Susmita Bagchi, Chairperson Mo School, Govt. of Odisha was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The event was presided over by Prof. R.V. Raja Kumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. R.V. Rajakumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar said, “India is a land of rich linguistic diversity. Multilingualism in our nation extends back to several millennia. This linguistic diversity is an asset, we have inherited and is in fact, a resource for each one of us. Bhasha is not just a means for communicating, it has expressions of emotions, heritage and culture of the land attached to it. Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our cultural heritage. However, the mother tongues of this country are various expressions of a single soul and each one of us should be proud of this fact. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has given importance to mother languages since it encourages professional courses in mother languages to reduce the gap within when you learn in your mother language. Having realised this, we too at IIT Bhubaneswar are thinking of some inclusions and coming up with course in the local language. I would like to urge the students that as they pursue their education and research, carry along the merits of their mother tongue too, so that the seed that is sown today bears very nutritious fruits for our history, our culture, our heritage and nation one day.”

Smt. Susmita Bagchi, Chairperson, Mo School, Govt of Odisha and Chief Guest on the occasion addressing the audience, “From time immemorial, all the languages not only coexisted together but also supplemented and enriched each other. Hence the very culture of this land is inclusive. “Language”-Limitless is the word that best describes the true meaning of “Language”. While learning the local language is very much desirable for outsiders, being parochial about your mother tongue may not be desirable at all. Knowing your mother tongue is very essential as it help in framing of culture. They give shape to our thoughts and it conveys what our soul feels. It is my proud privilege to say that we are a nation blessed with many mother tongues. Today is a day when we bow to the love for our mother tongues. The need of the hour is to promote the use of mother tongues and highlight the linguistic diversity of the country, while encouraging usage not only of the respective mother tongue but other Indian languages as well. This will further help to create a feeling of oneness amongst ourselves”

Also present during the event were Prof. R.K. Panda, Dean Alumni Affairs and International Relations, Prof. V.R. Pedireddi, Dean Student Affairs, Col (Dr.) Subodh Kumar, Registrar, IIT Bhubaneswar.The event saw active participation from Faculty, Officer, Staff and Students reciting stories, articles and poems in the mother tongue. The programme ended with vote of thanks by the Registrar.