The Ministry of Education celebrated the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 today at the National Bal Bhavan in New Delhi, marking the birth anniversary of eminent poet Subramania Bharati. Held under the theme “Anek Bhashayein, Ek Bhavna”, the event highlighted India’s rich linguistic diversity. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) participated actively, underscoring the depth, vibrancy, and cultural significance of India’s tribal languages.
As part of the exhibition, MoTA set up a dedicated pavilion to showcase tribal language publications produced by Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) of Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gujarat. The display included dictionaries, introductory language primers, storybooks, and research documents, all designed to reflect the unique linguistic identities and oral traditions of tribal communities from these states.
A major attraction at the MoTA stall was the live demonstration of the ‘Adi Vaani’ app by a team from IIT Delhi. Adi Vaani is India’s first AI-powered tribal language translator, developed under a Ministry of Tribal Affairs initiative to help tribal languages not only survive but thrive. The platform enables real-time text and speech translation between Hindi/English and tribal languages, offers interactive learning tools for beginners and students, and digitally preserves local knowledge, folklore, and cultural heritage for future generations. It also aligns with national efforts in digital literacy, healthcare accessibility, and cultural preservation.
In its first phase, Adi Vaani supports Santhali and Kui (Odisha), Bhili (Madhya Pradesh), Mundari (Jharkhand), Gondi (Chhattisgarh), and Garo (Meghalaya), with further expansion planned based on regional priorities and community feedback. Visitors were captivated by the demonstration, which showcased how technology can play a transformative role in safeguarding and promoting tribal languages through real-time translation and wider accessibility.
The event also featured vibrant cultural performances by school students representing various regions of the country. Students from EMRS Kalsi (Uttarakhand), under the NESTS framework, presented an energetic dance and an impactful street play that highlighted the cultural enthusiasm and social awareness of tribal youth.
In a powerful expression of unity, students rendered “Vande Mataram” in 22 Indian languages, symbolising the linguistic diversity that binds the nation together. Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 provided a common platform for institutions, educators, researchers, and students to celebrate and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening India’s multilingual heritage. The participation of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs further emphasised that tribal languages are an integral component of India’s linguistic and cultural fabric.
