Indian Languages Are the Soul of India: Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla on Saturday emphasised that Indian languages are the soul of India and play a vital role in preserving the country’s cultural identity, saying that those who remain connected to their roots naturally express themselves in their own language.

Addressing the valedictory session of the Third International Indian Languages Conference 2026, Shri Birla said the conference provided an important platform for dialogue on the promotion and propagation of Indian languages and for connecting the younger generation with India’s rich linguistic heritage. The three-day conference concluded on January 11 and was jointly organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), the Ministry of Culture, Antarashtriya Sahyog Parishad, Vaishwik Hindi Pariwar, and the Department of Indian Languages and Literary Studies, University of Delhi.

Shri Birla highlighted the need to connect future generations of the Indian diaspora with Indian languages, noting that while Non-Resident Indians take pride in Indian culture and values, sustained efforts are required to ensure that Indian languages are passed on to younger generations abroad.

Referring to initiatives taken by the Government of India, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that translations in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution are provided in Parliament. He expressed satisfaction that many Members of Parliament speak in their own languages and said he would encourage MPs from across regions to use their native languages during the Budget Session, so that the expansion of Indian languages begins from Parliament itself.

Shri Birla also underlined the importance of presenting Indian languages on global platforms, observing that many world leaders speak in their own languages internationally. He said that the Prime Minister of India addresses global forums in his own language, and similar efforts are being made to promote Indian languages at international parliamentary and diplomatic platforms.

Highlighting the role of cinema, he said Hindi films and songs have played a significant role in taking Indian languages to a global audience, reflecting the richness and diversity of India’s linguistic and cultural traditions. He reiterated that no language is imposed on anyone and stressed that dialogue and discussion should take place in all Indian languages to promote inclusivity and cultural pride.

Presiding over the session, IGNCA Chairman Shri Ram Bahadur Rai said the conference demonstrated that Indian languages have a global presence and asserted that Hindi occupies a central place among them. He called for greater institutional support for language coordination, planning and the preservation of linguistic originality, and suggested the appointment of translators for all 22 scheduled languages in every ministry.

Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri Vijender Gupta, who attended as Guest of Honour, said Indian languages are a matter of self-respect and dignity and have evolved through centuries of interaction across regions and traditions. He noted that international participation in the conference highlighted the global relevance of Indian languages.

The conference saw participation from over 100 international delegates from countries including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, France, the Netherlands, Mauritius, Thailand and Japan. More than 40 sessions were held over three days, focusing on various issues related to Indian languages and their global outreach.