Agartala, Tripura, 12th of March, 2026 : The Faculty of Literature of Tripura University, in collaboration with the Bharatiya Bhasha Manch (Northeast Region), successfully organized the second day of the two-day National Seminar titled “Mother Tongue: The Carrier of Culture and Identity.” The day featured two technical sessions and a valedictory session, conducted in a highly dignified and intellectually vibrant atmosphere. Held on 10 and 11 March 2026, this grand academic gathering witnessed extensive discussions on linguistic diversity, cultural pride, and the future challenges facing mother tongues. The seminar not only served as a center of academic dialogue but also conveyed a powerful message about reconnecting with one’s cultural roots.
At the beginning of the session, Prof. Vinod Kumar Mishra, Dean of the Faculty of Literature, formally welcomed all the distinguished guests, speakers, and participants. He also expressed gratitude to the university administration and the Bharatiya Bhasha Manch for their support in organizing the seminar successfully. The entire session was skillfully and systematically moderated by Dr. Vishva Bandhu, Associate Professor in the Department of Sanskrit.
The detailed official report of the seminar was presented by Dr. Kali Charan Jha, Associate Professor in the Department of Hindi. In his report, Dr. Jha highlighted the scale and achievements of the two-day event. He noted that scholars, linguists, and speakers representing nearly 20 Indian languages participated enthusiastically in this prestigious program. He further mentioned that these scholars shared serious insights on the contemporary global challenges, technological pressures, and existential threats faced by their respective mother tongues.
According to the report, the structure of the national seminar was well organized and inclusive. Over the course of two days, four main technical sessions were successfully conducted. In addition to these, two special parallel discussion sessions were organized, which became a distinctive feature of the seminar. Dr. Jha informed that in the first parallel session, around 53 poets from Agartala and nearby regions participated and recited their original poems, showcasing the sweetness and strength of their mother tongues. In the second parallel session, 14 research scholars presented their research papers on various aspects of the mother tongue, including language education, culture, and identity.
The valedictory session was chaired by Prof. Samir Kumar Seal, the Honorable Registrar of Tripura University. In his presidential address, he emphasized the importance of language, describing it as the foundation of human consciousness. He remarked that language is not merely a means of communication but also a carrier of the knowledge and traditions of our ancestors. On this occasion, he expressed his deep emotional connection with language by reciting a self-composed poem, which deeply moved the audience. His poem beautifully conveyed love for the mother tongue and the responsibility to preserve it. The poem reminded listeners of the renowned scientist Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, who composed the university anthem of Banaras Hindu University.
The session also featured Shri A. Vinod, National Coordinator of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, New Delhi, as the distinguished speaker. He elaborated on the relevance of the mother tongue in the Indian context and discussed the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), emphasizing the importance of mother-tongue-based education. He stressed that when a child receives education in their mother tongue, their originality and creativity develop more rapidly. He also highlighted the need to connect Indian languages with modern science and technology so that they become languages of knowledge and research, not merely of emotional expression.
The program was further enriched by the presence of the eminent Kokborok litterateur Shri Nanda Kumar Debbarma as a special guest. He presented a remarkable example of linguistic inclusivity by reciting his self-composed poems in Kokborok, Bengali, and English. His recitations demonstrated that a literary figure can act as a bridge between languages and that literary sensibilities cannot be confined to a single linguistic boundary. He also spoke about the linguistic richness of Northeast India and called upon the youth to take initiative in preserving local languages and dialects.
Other distinguished guests also shared their views during the concluding ceremony. Prof. Makhlesh Kumar, Director of the Eklavya Campus of Central Sanskrit University, described Sanskrit as the mother of all Indian languages and conveyed a message of linguistic unity. Dr. Ghanshyam Singh, Registrar of Mata Tripura Sundari Open University, discussed the possibilities of spreading mother-tongue education among the masses through open and distance learning. He emphasized that open universities play an important role in the democratization of education.
In the final segment of the program, Dr. Manoj Kumar Maurya, Assistant Professor in the Department of Hindi, delivered the vote of thanks. He expressed appreciation to all those who contributed directly or indirectly to the success of the seminar, including organizers, the technical team, and participating students. The historic national seminar concluded formally with the National Anthem. After the program, tea was served to all participants, where informal discussions among scholars continued.
This seminar will remain a significant milestone in the history of Tripura University, symbolizing the confluence of mother tongue and culture, and paving a new path for preserving linguistic identity.
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