Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav

As you are aware, the National Education Policy 2020, while deliberating on language education in school emphasises the need for recognising and promoting multilingualism as a path to realising the fundamental aims of education and schooling. Moreover, since times immemorial, Indian languages have coexisted, complemented and enriched each other, thus contributing to the unity and harmony of the nation. In the process of understanding Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, students need to also experience and enjoy the underlying oneness of India in the linguistic diversity.

As directed by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav with the theme, ‘भाषाएँ अनेक, भाव एक’ will be conducted for 75 days from 28th September to 11th December, 2023 to promote language learning through the use of regional languages and technology. During this programme, the activities are to be conducted at all levels i.e., the schools, BRCs/CRCs/Panchayats, districts (including at the DIETs), state and national level to build up the momentum for the grand finale Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav on 11th December, the Janma Jayanti of the great nationalist Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, who was popularly known as “Mahakavi Bharati”, a freedom fighter and a social reformer in Tamil Nadu.

In this regard, it is informed that the inaugural programme of the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav will be held at national level in New Delhi on 30.09.2023. In continuation of this, a two Days Summit regarding the “Technology and Bhartiya Bhasha” will also be held during 30th September - 1st October, 2023. The final culmination program of Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav will be organised in Delhi on 11th December, 2023.

The detailed suggestive list of activities, for each level, to be conducted during the Utsav is enclosed at Annexure 1. Additionally, it is advised to all CBSE affiliated schools, to follow the week wise themes for 75 days (11 weeks) as per suggestive themes below:

Week 1 – 28th Sep to 4th October: Environment/ Nature
Week 2 – 5th to 11th October: Literature
Week 3 – 12th to 18th October: Cuisine
Week 4 – 19th to 25th October: Knowing your surroundings
Week 5 – 26th October to 1st November: My School
Week 6 – 2nd to 8th November: Values
Week 7 – 9th to 15th November: Numeracy & Mathematics
Week 8 – 16th to 22nd November: Show your talent
Week 9 – 23rd to 29th November: My thoughts, My ideas
Week 10 – 30th November to 6th December: Reading & Expression
Week 11 – 7th to 11th December: Dedicated to Shri Subramania Bharathi

It must be ensured that the activities in the last week i.e., from 7th to 11th December is dedicated to the readings, writings, and poetries of Shri Subramania Bharati. It is also requested to fill the following google form weekly for the activities conducted on the above themes:
https://forms.gle/snfG1qZcCoU8uFpf6

Considering the large number of languages being spoken across the country, the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav also plans to provide multilingual exposure to students in different regional languages. This is an endeavour meant to create interest in these languages and enhance linguistic tolerance, thereby promoting national integration. To ensure greater exposure and celebrate linguistic diversity, there will be “Partnership among Schools” i.e., at least 1% of schools in every state/UT will be paired with the schools in another linguistically different area. These paired schools should communicate with each other at least three times during the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav through virtual mode. Activities such as cultural programmes, debates, quizzes, interface of students/teachers, etc., can be held during the above-said interactions of the paired schools. The pairing of State of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” may be followed vide CBSE Circular No. Acad-54/2023 dated 25.04.2023.

This is also to inform you about the ANUVADINI: Voice & Document AI Translation Tools (https://anuvadini.aicte-india.org/) developed by AICTE, which consist of a multitude of features and functionalities targeted at closing the gap arising due to language barriers in the country and the world. The tool has support for 22 regional Indian and foreign languages helping break language barriers and it adheres to the principles of Make in India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The facilities provided by the ANUVADINI tool may be used extensively for all translation purposes during the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav. Students should also be given exposure of ANUVADINI to enable them to get acquainted with different Indian languages.

All the School Heads are requested to disseminate the above information amongst all the students, teachers and stakeholders to encourage them to participate in this 75 Days Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav from 28th September to 11th December, 2023. In order to monitor, the effective conduct of activities through these 75 days Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav, a page is being developed on NCERT Portal. The link of portal will be shared shortly.

For any queries please write an email to jsam.acad@gmail.com.