Bhubaneshwar: Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneshwar celebrated the Matrubhasha Diwas at its Community Centre located in its sprawling green Campus on 20th Feb, 2020 to commemorate the “International Mother Language Day with the theme Languages without borders” as observed by UNESCO to promote the dissemination of mother tongues and fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue. The MHRD is celebrating it as “Matribhasha Diwas” all over India with the objective of sensitizing the people on the need for the greater use of mother tongues and other Indian languages for development and progress of the nation. Shri. Bibhuti Pattanaik, Renowned Odia Novelist and Columnist was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. R.V. Rajakumar says, “Bhasha is not just a means for communicating, it has expressions of emotions, heritage and culture of the land attached to it. India is a land of rich linguistic diversity. Multilingualism in our nation extends back to several millennia. This linguistic diversity is an asset we have inherited and is, in fact, a resource for each one of us. Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our cultural heritage. Local languages, especially minority and indigenous transmit cultures, values and traditional knowledge, thus playing an important role in promoting sustainable futures. However, mother tongues of this country are various expressions of a single soul and each one of us should be proud of this fact.” Shri. Bibhuti Pattanaik, Chief Guest on the occasion addressing the audience, “It is my proud privilege to say that we are a nation blessed with many mother tongues. Today is a day when we bow to the love for our mother tongues. One thing that binds us is our deep need to ensure that India reaches the new glories and face the future. Odia language is an assimilation of many other languages ranging from Sanskrit, Telugu, and Bengali etc. Just communicating in English not the only thing, it should be in the local language which in this case is Odia, so there should be more focus to communicate in the language that is close to the person. Also technical books of engineering should also be translated in Odia and the emphasis should always be on the local language which makes it easy to understand and relate. As you carry along your education and research, carry along the merits of your mother tongue so that the seed that is sown today bears very nutritious fruits for our history, our culture, our heritage and nation one day.” Also present during the event were Prof. R.K. Panda, Dean Alumni Affairs & International Relations, Prof. Sujit Roy, Dean Research and Development, Prof. V R Pedireddi, Dean Student Affairs, Dr. P R Sahu, Dean Academic Affairs, Col (Dr) Subodh Kumar, Registrar, Shri Debraj Rath, Joint Registrar and Dr. Sankarsan Mahapatro, President, Student Gymkhana, IIT Bhubaneswar. The programme witnessed cultural performance by students, staff and faculty members and their wards in different languages. The programme ended with vote of thanks. Related Comments comments

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