Shillong, August 29 : The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) Regional Campus, Shillong, in collaboration with the Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti, Ministry of Education, New Delhi, inaugurated a Two-day National Conference on the “Bhartiya Bhasha Pariwar: Strengthening National Unity through Linguistic and Literary Exchange”, during 28-29 August 2025.
Following the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, the Conference commenced with addresses highlighting policy, culture, and preservation of languages. The Inauguration Programme was opened by Prof. Mousumi Guha Banerjee, Director, EFLU, Regional Campus, Shillong, who, in her address, welcomed the dignitaries, academics, faculty members, administrative staff, research scholars, and students, setting the tone for a dialogue on the role of Indian languages in fostering unity amid diversity.
Padma Shree Chamu Krishna Shashtri, Chairman, Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti, Ministry of Education, New Delhi, shared a video message with the audience concerning his perspective on India’s multilingual ethos. “Sabhi matri bhashayein rashtriya bhashayein hain,” he stated, underscoring that all mother tongues are national languages. He noted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is actively promoting India’s linguistic heritage. “Deshabhiman Bhashabhiman se upar hai, Vividhta humara saundarya hai aur ekta humari shakti,” he added, affirming that national pride stands above linguistic pride, diversity is our beauty, and unity is our strength.
The Guest of Honour of the programme, Prof. Pinakeswar Mahanta, Director, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya, drew attention to the endangered languages in Meghalaya and proposed strategies for their revitalization, emphasizing community participation, documentation, and integration of local languages into education and public life.
The Chief Guest of the programme, Prof. H. K. Mishra, Department of Hindi, the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, and the newly appointed Director, Central Hindi Directorate, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, New Delhi, spoke about the strength of India as a multilingual and multicultural country where languages unite the entire country in a significantly strong manner. Prof. Mishra also emphasized that this kind of a multicultural democracy is unique to India – a feature that marks it as a unique democracy.
The Vice Chancellor of the English and Foreign Languages University, Prof. N. Nagaraju, addressed the Conference gathering online, reflecting on India’s journey since Independence. He emphasized that, while the nation has long stood united despite differences of language, ethnicity, and culture, the collective task ahead is to further strengthen and deepen that unity through sustained linguistic and literary exchange.
The Inauguration Programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Rosy Yumnam, DR I/c (Admin.), EFLU, Regional Campus, Shillong, who acknowledged the dignitaries, faculty, research scholars, students, and staff for their contributions towards giving a worthy shape to the Conference.
In addition, the Conference included special lectures, technical sessions, and paper presentations that focused on linguistic diversity, literary exchange, policy implementation, and language preservation.
The Valedictory Session was held on 29 August 2025, with Prof. Bibhash Choudhury, Department of English, Gauhati University. The Session was chaired by Prof. Mousumi Guha Banerjee, Director, EFLU, Regional Campus, Shillong.
