A bid to promote Indian languages and reduce dependence on English has been made by the Education Ministry, which has urged government bodies to utilize funds to support linguistic diversity. This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasising the importance of promoting Indian languages in education and official communications.
A letter has been addressed to the Education Ministry's Secretaries of all Central Government Ministries/Departments, stressing the need to allocate funds for initiatives promoting Indian languages. The importance of using Indian languages in official communications, websites, and social media platforms has been highlighted.
Several government initiatives to promote Indian languages have already been taken, including the establishment of the Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI) and the launch of the Bharatavani portal. Access to linguistic resources, dictionaries, and study materials in Indian languages has been provided through the portal.
According to the NEP, Indian languages should be promoted in education, research, and official communications. Recommendations have been made for developing Indian language textbooks and study materials and encouraging research in Indian languages.
This move is expected to impact the country's linguistic landscape significantly. Experts believe promoting Indian languages will help reduce dependence on English and increase accessibility to education and government services.
The Education Ministry's initiative is part of broader efforts undertaken by the government to promote Indian languages and preserve the country's cultural heritage. With the NEP providing a roadmap for linguistic development, concrete steps are being taken to promote India's rich linguistic diversity.