LINGUISTIC RESURGENCE AND THE GLOBAL SOUL: RJS PBH DECLARES END OF COLONIAL SILENCE ON INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
LINGUISTIC RESURGENCE AND THE GLOBAL SOUL: RJS PBH DECLARES END OF COLONIAL SILENCE ON INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
NEW DELHI -- The global landscape of linguistic identity is undergoing a seismic shift, marking the end of a thousand-year period of colonial suppression and the beginning of a new era for Indian languages. This was the definitive conclusion of the 522nd webinar hosted by the Ram Janaki Sansthan Positive Broadcasting House (RJS PBH), held to commemorate International Mother Language Day. In a marathon session involving delegates from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and across India, the forum argued that the mother tongue is the primary engine for both cognitive development and global soft power. The event, held on the eve of the official day, was framed as a vital component of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and the broader Positive India 2047 vision.
Uday Kumar Manna, the Founder and National Convener of RJS Positive Media, opened the proceedings by anchoring the discussion in the historical bloodbath of the 1952 Language Movement. He reminded the international audience that International Mother Language Day, recognized by UNESCO in 1999, traces its origins to students in the then East Pakistan who were martyred while protesting for the official recognition of the Bangla language. Manna noted that of the 8,324 languages recorded globally, only about 7,000 remain in active use, with a language disappearing every two weeks. This context set a somber yet urgent tone for the webinar, which sought to celebrate the Maa ki Boli or mother’s tongue as a survivor of civilizational struggles.
The keynote address delivered by Nitin Mehta, MBE, an author and founder of the Indian Vegetarian Society in the UK, offered a profound perspective on the global standing of Indian languages. Speaking from London, Mehta asserted that the world is witnessing a historical correction. After ten centuries of being sidelined by various colonial powers, the intrinsic scientific and phonetic value of Indian languages, deeply rooted in Sanskrit, is returning to the global stage. Mehta introduced the concept of the Sanskrit Advantage, explaining that the phonetic precision of the language provides Indians with a unique cognitive foundation that allows them to master foreign languages with greater ease than their global counterparts.
The economic and functional implications of the mother tongue were detailed by Sunil Kumar Singh, Programme Director at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Singh shifted the focus from cultural sentiment to strategic necessity, arguing that in a globalized market, the ability to communicate with local customers in their native tongue fosters trust and provides a competitive edge. He noted that for businesses, the mother tongue is not just a heritage asset but a tool for effective market penetration and local relationship management.
NEW DELHI -- The global landscape of linguistic identity is undergoing a seismic shift, marking the end of a thousand-year period of colonial suppression and the beginning of a new era for Indian languages. This was the definitive conclusion of the 522nd webinar hosted by the Ram Janaki Sansthan Positive Broadcasting House (RJS PBH), held to commemorate International Mother Language Day. In a marathon session involving delegates from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and across India, the forum argued that the mother tongue is the primary engine for both cognitive development and global soft power. The event, held on the eve of the official day, was framed as a vital component of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and the broader Positive India 2047 vision.
Uday Kumar Manna, the Founder and National Convener of RJS Positive Media, opened the proceedings by anchoring the discussion in the historical bloodbath of the 1952 Language Movement. He reminded the international audience that International Mother Language Day, recognized by UNESCO in 1999, traces its origins to students in the then East Pakistan who were martyred while protesting for the official recognition of the Bangla language. Manna noted that of the 8,324 languages recorded globally, only about 7,000 remain in active use, with a language disappearing every two weeks. This context set a somber yet urgent tone for the webinar, which sought to celebrate the Maa ki Boli or mother’s tongue as a survivor of civilizational struggles.
The keynote address delivered by Nitin Mehta, MBE, an author and founder of the Indian Vegetarian Society in the UK, offered a profound perspective on the global standing of Indian languages. Speaking from London, Mehta asserted that the world is witnessing a historical correction. After ten centuries of being sidelined by various colonial powers, the intrinsic scientific and phonetic value of Indian languages, deeply rooted in Sanskrit, is returning to the global stage. Mehta introduced the concept of the Sanskrit Advantage, explaining that the phonetic precision of the language provides Indians with a unique cognitive foundation that allows them to master foreign languages with greater ease than their global counterparts.
The economic and functional implications of the mother tongue were detailed by Sunil Kumar Singh, Programme Director at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Singh shifted the focus from cultural sentiment to strategic necessity, arguing that in a globalized market, the ability to communicate with local customers in their native tongue fosters trust and provides a competitive edge. He noted that for businesses, the mother tongue is not just a heritage asset but a tool for effective market penetration and local relationship management.
However, Sunil Kumar Singh also presented a moving analysis of the social implications of linguistic suppression. He recounted the history of Indian laborers taken to Guyana, where their native Hindi and Bhojpuri were systematically banned by colonial administrators. This forced suppression led to a generational trauma where the first generation was rendered emotionally mute, unable to express their deepest feelings in an alien tongue. Singh noted that even today, the Hindu diaspora in Guyana performs rituals in Sanskrit, but because the linguistic link to their mother tongue was broken, they rely on English translations that fail to capture the spiritual soul or man of the original prayers. He argued that primary education must be conducted in the mother tongue to build a child’s confidence and prevent such intellectual alienation.
During a focused Q&A session, Uday Kumar Manna asked Nitin Mehta about the Indian diaspora's integration in Africa and whether they adopted local languages. Mehta provided a striking historical revelation, noting that early Indian settlers in East Africa were highly successful because they prioritized learning local tribal languages. He pointed to the word Harambee, which serves as the national motto of Kenya and means pulling together. Mehta suggested that the term likely originated from Indian laborers who chanted Har Ambe, a praise to the Mother Goddess, while performing collective manual labor. The phrase was adopted by the local Kenyan population and eventually became a symbol of national unity, proving that the mother tongue is a living river that influences global history in ways often overlooked.
When further questioned by Miraja Kumar regarding the status of Sanskrit in Western academia, Nitin Mehta noted that the language is experiencing a significant revival in the United Kingdom. He mentioned that several elite schools in London have made Sanskrit a core subject, and Western scholars are increasingly acknowledging it as the mother of Indo-European languages. Mehta argued that Indian culture and linguistics are currently impressing the world, and it is the responsibility of the diaspora to act as the vanguard of this resurgence.
The discussion then turned to the challenges of the digital age, led by Ashwini Kelgaonkar, a linguistic and cultural expert based in the Netherlands. Kelgaonkar, who recently staged the theater production Mitti Ki Khushbu in India, discussed how the fifth and sixth generations of the Indian diaspora in Suriname and the Netherlands still use a variant of Bhojpuri to maintain their identity. She emphasized that language is the primary marker of who a person is and where they come from.
In a critical Q&A segment, Uday Kumar Manna questioned Ashwini Kelgaonkar on the rising trend of abusive and undignified language on social media, particularly directed at women. Kelgaonkar attributed this digital toxicity to a lack of Sanyam or restraint and a deficit in patience. She argued that the internet provides access to both the Vedas and abuse, and the choice lies with the individual. She urged for the development of the Shrota or listener habit, stating that by cultivating the patience to listen before responding, users can set a dignified standard for the next generation. She advocated for the Three-Language Formula, where a child learns the mother tongue for emotional depth, a national language for social cohesion, and a foreign language for global functionality.
Shubhra Singh, an educationist from Uttarakhand, brought the discourse to the grassroots level of Indian schooling. She shared a significant sociological observation: many children in rural and semi-urban India are developing an inferiority complex regarding their local dialects. They often perceive their mother tongue as uncivilized compared to English or formal Hindi. Singh explained that a child enters school with a vocabulary of approximately 1,300 to 1,400 words in their mother tongue. If educators ignore this existing knowledge base, the child feels intellectually orphaned. She stressed that the mother tongue should be used as a transition bridge into formal education to ensure character building and cultural pride.
The webinar also highlighted the global promotion of the Nagari script. Dr. Hari Singh Pal, Secretary General of the Nagari Lipi Parishad and a former Programme Director at Akashvani, provided a scholarly defense of the script. In the Q&A session, Manna asked how the Nagari Lipi has been promoted globally. Dr. Paul revealed that inspired by the philosophy of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, the Nagari script has been promoted as a unifying medium for all Indian languages. He announced that the Nagari Lipi Parishad now has branches in over 18 countries, including the United States, Germany, and Denmark. He also noted that the ICCR supports Hindi chairs in foreign universities where the Nagari script is the primary medium, further solidifying the global footprint of Indian linguistics.
Dr. Pal further elaborated on the sweetness of regional dialects, particularly Braj Bhasha, which he described as the language of the soul and the medium for much of medieval Indian literature. He argued that the birth of Bangladesh remains the ultimate historical proof that language can be a more powerful force for nation-building than religion or economics. He urged for the protection of dialects like Angika, Bagheli, and Marwari, which are the true mother tongues often overshadowed by standardized versions of national languages.
A scientific and sociological perspective was added by Rakesh Manchanda of the Positive Media Movement. Manchanda addressed the curiosity behind why the primary language is termed Mother Tongue and not Father Tongue. He explained that since the mother is typically the primary caregiver during the most critical years of phonetic internalization and cognitive development, the child’s first linguistic map is formed by the mother’s voice. He also celebrated the entry of Indian words into global lexicons, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, as a sign of linguistic soft power. However, he echoed Nitin Mehta’s warning against linguistic isolationism, stating that a language must remain a flowing river, adopting new words to stay relevant.
The forum also heard from regional voices that illustrated the diversity of India’s linguistic landscape. Ashish Ranjan, a journalism student from Bihar, spoke on the literary legacy of Maithili and its recognition in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Miraja Kumar from Jaipur shared the resilience of the Sindhi language, which survived the Partition and continues to be taught through both Nagari and Arabic scripts. She provided a moving poetic tribute to the martyr Hemu Kalani, illustrating how the mother tongue serves as the ultimate vehicle for historical memory. Sarita Kapoor, a former lecturer, criticized the modern trend of parents speaking only English with toddlers, warning that it deprives children of their primary emotional vocabulary.
As the webinar reached its conclusion, Uday Kumar Manna announced several upcoming initiatives under the RJS PBH banner. On February 25, a special program will be held to mark National Science Day, honoring Nobel laureate C.V. Raman. This event, coordinated by Uday Shankar Singh, will feature Ritu Jain of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Madan Jaira, Political Editor of Hindustan. Additionally, the organization announced its support for the third Kabir Mahotsav and Yatra in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, an international event celebrating the Sadhu language of Sant Kabir. A live stream of this cultural exchange is scheduled for February 21 at 8:15 PM.
The RJS team also revealed plans for a voluntary visit to Silver Public School in Swaroop Nagar, Delhi, to support students in cultural and martial arts programs. Manna also confirmed that the organization is preparing for the release of its 7th Grantha, a compilation of research and articles from its national network.
The 522nd RJS PBH webinar served as a powerful reminder that the preservation of the mother tongue is a sophisticated necessity for global integration and individual identity. By weaving together the threads of economic advantage, educational psychology, and diaspora resilience, the speakers demonstrated that language is the ultimate vehicle for the Vishwa Guru aspirations of a rising India. The event concluded with a clear message: while the world may communicate in global languages for functionality, it identifies, feels, and dreams through the mother tongue. The RJS PBH movement continues to act as a bridge between regional dialects and global aspirations, ensuring that as India moves toward 2047, its many voices are preserved for future generations.
During a focused Q&A session, Uday Kumar Manna asked Nitin Mehta about the Indian diaspora's integration in Africa and whether they adopted local languages. Mehta provided a striking historical revelation, noting that early Indian settlers in East Africa were highly successful because they prioritized learning local tribal languages. He pointed to the word Harambee, which serves as the national motto of Kenya and means pulling together. Mehta suggested that the term likely originated from Indian laborers who chanted Har Ambe, a praise to the Mother Goddess, while performing collective manual labor. The phrase was adopted by the local Kenyan population and eventually became a symbol of national unity, proving that the mother tongue is a living river that influences global history in ways often overlooked.
When further questioned by Miraja Kumar regarding the status of Sanskrit in Western academia, Nitin Mehta noted that the language is experiencing a significant revival in the United Kingdom. He mentioned that several elite schools in London have made Sanskrit a core subject, and Western scholars are increasingly acknowledging it as the mother of Indo-European languages. Mehta argued that Indian culture and linguistics are currently impressing the world, and it is the responsibility of the diaspora to act as the vanguard of this resurgence.
The discussion then turned to the challenges of the digital age, led by Ashwini Kelgaonkar, a linguistic and cultural expert based in the Netherlands. Kelgaonkar, who recently staged the theater production Mitti Ki Khushbu in India, discussed how the fifth and sixth generations of the Indian diaspora in Suriname and the Netherlands still use a variant of Bhojpuri to maintain their identity. She emphasized that language is the primary marker of who a person is and where they come from.
In a critical Q&A segment, Uday Kumar Manna questioned Ashwini Kelgaonkar on the rising trend of abusive and undignified language on social media, particularly directed at women. Kelgaonkar attributed this digital toxicity to a lack of Sanyam or restraint and a deficit in patience. She argued that the internet provides access to both the Vedas and abuse, and the choice lies with the individual. She urged for the development of the Shrota or listener habit, stating that by cultivating the patience to listen before responding, users can set a dignified standard for the next generation. She advocated for the Three-Language Formula, where a child learns the mother tongue for emotional depth, a national language for social cohesion, and a foreign language for global functionality.
Shubhra Singh, an educationist from Uttarakhand, brought the discourse to the grassroots level of Indian schooling. She shared a significant sociological observation: many children in rural and semi-urban India are developing an inferiority complex regarding their local dialects. They often perceive their mother tongue as uncivilized compared to English or formal Hindi. Singh explained that a child enters school with a vocabulary of approximately 1,300 to 1,400 words in their mother tongue. If educators ignore this existing knowledge base, the child feels intellectually orphaned. She stressed that the mother tongue should be used as a transition bridge into formal education to ensure character building and cultural pride.
The webinar also highlighted the global promotion of the Nagari script. Dr. Hari Singh Pal, Secretary General of the Nagari Lipi Parishad and a former Programme Director at Akashvani, provided a scholarly defense of the script. In the Q&A session, Manna asked how the Nagari Lipi has been promoted globally. Dr. Paul revealed that inspired by the philosophy of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, the Nagari script has been promoted as a unifying medium for all Indian languages. He announced that the Nagari Lipi Parishad now has branches in over 18 countries, including the United States, Germany, and Denmark. He also noted that the ICCR supports Hindi chairs in foreign universities where the Nagari script is the primary medium, further solidifying the global footprint of Indian linguistics.
Dr. Pal further elaborated on the sweetness of regional dialects, particularly Braj Bhasha, which he described as the language of the soul and the medium for much of medieval Indian literature. He argued that the birth of Bangladesh remains the ultimate historical proof that language can be a more powerful force for nation-building than religion or economics. He urged for the protection of dialects like Angika, Bagheli, and Marwari, which are the true mother tongues often overshadowed by standardized versions of national languages.
A scientific and sociological perspective was added by Rakesh Manchanda of the Positive Media Movement. Manchanda addressed the curiosity behind why the primary language is termed Mother Tongue and not Father Tongue. He explained that since the mother is typically the primary caregiver during the most critical years of phonetic internalization and cognitive development, the child’s first linguistic map is formed by the mother’s voice. He also celebrated the entry of Indian words into global lexicons, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, as a sign of linguistic soft power. However, he echoed Nitin Mehta’s warning against linguistic isolationism, stating that a language must remain a flowing river, adopting new words to stay relevant.
The forum also heard from regional voices that illustrated the diversity of India’s linguistic landscape. Ashish Ranjan, a journalism student from Bihar, spoke on the literary legacy of Maithili and its recognition in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Miraja Kumar from Jaipur shared the resilience of the Sindhi language, which survived the Partition and continues to be taught through both Nagari and Arabic scripts. She provided a moving poetic tribute to the martyr Hemu Kalani, illustrating how the mother tongue serves as the ultimate vehicle for historical memory. Sarita Kapoor, a former lecturer, criticized the modern trend of parents speaking only English with toddlers, warning that it deprives children of their primary emotional vocabulary.
As the webinar reached its conclusion, Uday Kumar Manna announced several upcoming initiatives under the RJS PBH banner. On February 25, a special program will be held to mark National Science Day, honoring Nobel laureate C.V. Raman. This event, coordinated by Uday Shankar Singh, will feature Ritu Jain of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Madan Jaira, Political Editor of Hindustan. Additionally, the organization announced its support for the third Kabir Mahotsav and Yatra in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, an international event celebrating the Sadhu language of Sant Kabir. A live stream of this cultural exchange is scheduled for February 21 at 8:15 PM.
The RJS team also revealed plans for a voluntary visit to Silver Public School in Swaroop Nagar, Delhi, to support students in cultural and martial arts programs. Manna also confirmed that the organization is preparing for the release of its 7th Grantha, a compilation of research and articles from its national network.
The 522nd RJS PBH webinar served as a powerful reminder that the preservation of the mother tongue is a sophisticated necessity for global integration and individual identity. By weaving together the threads of economic advantage, educational psychology, and diaspora resilience, the speakers demonstrated that language is the ultimate vehicle for the Vishwa Guru aspirations of a rising India. The event concluded with a clear message: while the world may communicate in global languages for functionality, it identifies, feels, and dreams through the mother tongue. The RJS PBH movement continues to act as a bridge between regional dialects and global aspirations, ensuring that as India moves toward 2047, its many voices are preserved for future generations.
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