The Third International Conference on Indian Languages was inaugurated in New Delhi by the Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan. The event brought together scholars, linguists, researchers and international delegates to discuss India’s linguistic heritage, multilingual education and language preservation. The address brought into light the civilisational role of languages, the importance of constitutional recognition, and the need to use technology for safeguarding endangered tongues and manuscripts.
Language as civilisational memory
The Vice-President described language as the conscience of civilisation. He said languages carry collective memory, knowledge systems and values across generations. He referred to ancient stone inscriptions, palm-leaf manuscripts and modern digital scripts as evidence of India’s long intellectual tradition. He noted that Indian languages have preserved philosophy, medicine, science, poetry and ethical thought.
India’s multilingual democratic tradition
The address stressed that India’s languages have strengthened national unity rather than divided the nation. The Vice-President said the Constitution of India and the Eighth Schedule reflect respect for linguistic diversity. He also noted the growing use of mother tongues in Parliament and welcomed the translation of the Constitution into Santhali as a step towards linguistic inclusion.
Preserving endangered languages and manuscripts
The Vice-President warned that many indigenous languages across the world are endangered. He said language conferences help in research, academic collaboration and preservation of ancient scripts and manuscripts. He brought into light the National Education Policy 2020 for promoting multilingual education and praised the Gyan Bharatam Mission for conserving manuscripts of Indian languages.
Technology and future of Indian languages
He called for digital archives, AI-based translation tools and multilingual platforms to support language preservation. He said technology should help Indian languages remain relevant in the present and grow in the future. He concluded that preserving languages means preserving civilisations, strengthening democracy and protecting human dignity.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026