India House Celebrates International Mother Language Day in London
Last Friday, India House in London marked International Mother Language Day, bringing together people from the Indian community across the UK.
The celebration featured a rich variety of cultural programs, including poetry readings in Bhojpuri, recitations of Sanskrit shlokas, folk music performances from Himachal Pradesh, and a lively Bihu dance from Assam, captivating attendees with their vibrant displays.
The United Nations has designated February 21 as International Mother Language Day to encourage multilingual education and highlight its importance in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
This event coincided with the foundation days of ten Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh. Attendees, including community leaders, professionals, and students, proudly donned traditional outfits representing their respective states.
High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami spoke about India’s strength in its rich diversity. He emphasized that celebrating this diversity, inclusive of the National Song Vande Mataram, showcases the essence of India, embodying its vast and varied traditions, cultures, and religions at every level, even down to village life.
Dr. MN Nandakumara, director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan UK, addressed the crowd in Kannada and shared Sanskrit verses, encouraging younger generations to stay connected to their languages and heritage. He asserted, “There is no wealth equal to wisdom, and language is the pathway to that wisdom.”
Supriya Deshpande, co-founder of the UK initiative GaMaBhaNa, highlighted her efforts in offering free Marathi language classes and establishing a Marathi library to help preserve Maharashtrian culture within local communities.
The celebration was a vibrant reminder of the importance of language and culture, fostering unity within the diverse Indian diaspora in the UK.
