A milestone for linguistic diversity: UGC launches project to develop 22,000 books in Indian languages
The Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently embarked on a transformative initiative aimed at bolstering education in Indian languages. The project, known as ASMITA (Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing), marks a significant collaboration between the UGC and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, a committee dedicated to promoting Indian languages.
Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education, officially launched ASMITA, alongside other key initiatives including Bahubhasha Shabdkosh and Real-time Translation Architecture. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan underscored the importance of these initiatives in fostering linguistic diversity, empowering learners, and preserving India's rich language heritage.
UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar outlined ASMITA's ambitious goal: to produce 22,000 books in 22 scheduled Indian languages over the next five years. Thirteen universities have been designated as nodal centers for this endeavor, which aims to create a robust ecosystem for translating existing academic content and generating new literature in Indian languages.
"The project will follow a rigorous standard operating procedure (SOP) covering every stage from author identification to e-publication," Kumar explained. This SOP includes meticulous processes such as manuscript submission, plagiarism checks, and finalization, ensuring high-quality academic resources.
Additionally, the ministry introduced "Bahubhasha Shabdakosh," a comprehensive lexicon compiled by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in collaboration with Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti. This reference tool will facilitate the integration of Indian languages into contemporary domains like information technology, industry, and research.
In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP), these initiatives aim not only to bridge linguistic divides but also to promote social cohesion and global citizenship among India's youth. By enhancing access to education in native languages, ASMITA and Bahubhasha Shabdakosh promise to revolutionize educational resources and empower students across the country.
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