The Third International Indian Languages Conference – 2026 was inaugurated in New Delhi by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Janpath. The conference is being organised under the joint aegis of IGNCA, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Antarashtriya Sahyog Parishad, Vaishwik Hindi Parivar, and the Department of Indian Languages and Literary Studies, University of Delhi.
Languages as Living Carriers of Civilisation
Addressing the inaugural session, the Vice President emphasised that languages are the living conscience of civilisation, serving not merely as tools of communication but as carriers of memory, culture, tradition, and values passed down through generations. He observed that India’s unity has never been based on uniformity but has been sustained through mutual respect among diverse languages, bound together by a shared civilisational ethos and dharma.
“Bharatiya languages are not contradictory; rather, they continuously contribute to one another, enriching philosophy, knowledge, and cultural expression,” the Vice President said.
He further noted that from ancient inscriptions and palm-leaf manuscripts to contemporary digital forms, languages have shaped thought, preserved knowledge, and nurtured collective imagination. Highlighting the global reach of Indian languages, he stressed the responsibility to protect linguistic diversity, support endangered languages, and carry them forward confidently through education and technology. “In celebrating every language, we uphold the dignity of every Indian, for Bharat is one and will remain one forever,” he said.
Distinguished Participation and Academic Leadership
The inaugural session was attended by Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Union Minister of Education (former) and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, as a distinguished guest. The session was chaired by the President of IGNCA and eminent scholar, Ram Bahadur Rai.
Special guests included Shyam Parande, Secretary General of Antarashtriya Sahyog Parishad, and renowned Japanese linguist Tomio Mizokami, Padma Shri awardee. Also present were Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, and Ravi Prakash Tekchandani, Head, Department of Indian Languages and Literary Studies, University of Delhi. The session was conducted by Anil Joshi, Director of the International Bharatiya Languages Conference.
Indian Languages as Vehicles of Knowledge and Harmony
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ highlighted that Indian languages are not merely instruments of communication but repositories of culture, philosophy, knowledge, and social values. He noted that India’s civilisational wisdom—such as yoga, Ayurveda, literature, and philosophy—has travelled across the world through the medium of its languages.
He emphasised that Indian languages promote coexistence, equality, and harmony rather than conflict, and form the foundation for both societal and individual development. “Indian languages foster unity and knowledge, not division—this is their true strength and pride,” he said.
Unity of Indian Languages
In his presidential address, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai reflected on the need to re-examine prevailing linguistic theories. He stated that while some scholars have propagated the idea of Indian languages belonging to four separate families, it has now been established that Indian languages belong to a single family. Recognising this unity, he said, would help dismantle artificial divisions.
He called for increased dialogue among Indian languages, stating that such dialogue would create a “wave of linguistic unity and cultural unity,” bringing language communities closer together.
Addressing the gathering as a special guest, Padma Shri Tomio Mizokami spoke in Hindi, remarking, “People say that I am Indian, though I was mistakenly born in Japan.”
Global Participation and Academic Engagement
The three-day conference will serve as a major academic and cultural platform focusing on the global dissemination of Indian languages, contemporary challenges, and future possibilities. The event has drawn participation from over 100 international delegates representing more than 70 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Netherlands, France, Mauritius, Thailand, and Japan.
Additionally, more than 100 eminent scholars, writers, and language activists from various Indian states, languages, and dialects have contributed to enhancing the academic and cultural stature of the conference.
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Source: PIB
