Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti

The Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (BBS) is a high-level advisory body established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in November 2021. Its primary objective is to promote, preserve, and strengthen Indian languages (Bharatiya Bhashas) across various domains including education, research, and administration. The initiative aligns closely with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises the importance of multilingualism and the use of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction at all levels of education.

Background and Establishment

The Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti was set up to guide and coordinate efforts for the development of Indian languages in a holistic and multidisciplinary manner. The committee functions under the Ministry of Education, with administrative and logistical support provided by the Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University (SLBSNSU) in New Delhi.
The formation of the BBS reflects the government’s recognition that linguistic diversity is central to India’s cultural identity and educational inclusiveness. By creating a dedicated institutional mechanism, the State seeks to ensure that Indian languages not only survive but also flourish in the fields of science, technology, and professional education.

Objectives and Mandate

The Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti has been tasked with developing a roadmap for the growth and use of Indian languages in academia and public life. Its major objectives include:

• Promotion of Multilingual Education: To encourage the use of Indian languages as mediums of instruction in schools and higher education institutions.
• Curriculum and Material Development: To prepare subject-specific textbooks, reference materials, and glossaries in Indian languages, particularly for technical and scientific subjects.
• Terminology Development: To evolve new vocabulary suited to modern disciplines, ensuring that Indian languages can effectively express complex academic and technical ideas.
• Capacity Building: To train teachers and educators in multilingual pedagogy and enhance their ability to teach across diverse linguistic backgrounds.
• Research and Innovation: To facilitate linguistic research, translation projects, and digital language tools for education and communication.
• Public Outreach: To raise awareness about the importance of linguistic heritage and promote the practical use of Indian languages in government, media, and business.

Structure and Composition

The Samiti is chaired by an eminent scholar appointed by the Ministry of Education, supported by language experts, educationists, and representatives from various linguistic and academic institutions. Its secretariat functions from Vishwakarma Bhawan in New Delhi. The committee operates through sub-groups focusing on different aspects such as terminology development, content creation, language technology, and institutional coordination.
The structure is designed to ensure inclusivity, representing major Indian languages and linguistic regions. By combining policy guidance with academic collaboration, the Samiti aims to unify diverse language promotion efforts under a single national framework.

Major Functions and Activities

The Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti undertakes a range of activities to fulfil its mandate:

• Workshops and Seminars: Organising academic discussions and orientation programmes on multilingualism, translation, and teaching methodologies.
• Collaboration with Universities: Partnering with higher education institutions to develop teaching materials and conduct research on Indian languages.
• Translation Projects: Encouraging translation of textbooks and research materials from English and other languages into Indian languages.
• Digital Initiatives: Promoting the use of digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and translation software to enhance access to Indian language content.
• Language Documentation: Supporting projects for the preservation of endangered languages and dialects through documentation and community engagement.
• Promotion of Non-Scheduled Languages: Assisting in the development of lesser-known and tribal languages that are not part of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

These activities are part of a comprehensive national movement to ensure linguistic inclusivity in education and communication.

Significance and Policy Relevance

The Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti plays a crucial role in implementing the multilingual vision of the NEP 2020. Its significance can be understood in several ways:

• It helps bridge the gap between the home language of learners and the language of instruction, thus improving comprehension and retention.
• It contributes to the decolonisation of education, reducing dependence on English and elevating Indian languages in academic and professional discourse.
• It provides an institutional platform for developing language technologies and resources that support education and administration in regional languages.
• It supports the cultural integration of India by recognising linguistic diversity as a source of strength and unity.

The work of the BBS complements other government initiatives such as the National Translation Mission and Bharatiya Bhasha Diwas, aimed at popularising Indian languages and increasing their presence in modern contexts.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its broad and ambitious scope, the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti faces several challenges in achieving its goals:

• Linguistic Diversity: India’s vast number of languages and dialects makes the creation of uniform policies complex and resource-intensive.
• Resource Availability: Development of high-quality academic material in multiple languages requires significant funding, skilled translators, and trained educators.
• Technological Gaps: Ensuring that all languages, especially those with limited digital presence, are incorporated into modern learning technologies.
• Implementation at Institutional Level: Effective integration of Indian languages into universities and professional education depends on curriculum reform and administrative commitment.

To address these challenges, the Samiti emphasises collaboration between central and state governments, academic institutions, and technology partners. It also advocates a phased and context-sensitive approach to language introduction in education.