LANGUAGE POWERING VIKSIT BHARAT

India’s story has always been told in many voices, and it is through these voices, carried in hundreds of languages and dialects, that the idea of the nation has found strength and continuity. The principle of unity in diversity is not an abstract slogan but a lived reality, and nowhere is this more evident than in the linguistic fabric of the country. Languages have not only preserved histories, traditions, and cultures, but they have also served as bridges of integration, enabling people of vastly different regions and communities to find common ground. At a time when India seeks to consolidate its global standing and aspire toward the vision of Viksit Bharat, it becomes essential to reflect on the role of language in shaping identity, building social cohesion, and promoting national development.

The multilingual heritage of India is not merely a cultural ornament; it is an economic and political asset. In every region, from Tamil to Kashmiri, from Marathi to Assamese, and from Dogri to Bhojpuri, languages carry within them repositories of knowledge, art, and collective memory. These languages form the bedrock of India’s shared consciousness and act as a counterweight to the forces of division. At the same time, Hindi and English, with their wider reach, play a bridging role in connecting communities across linguistic divides. The strength of India lies in this duality, where regional languages thrive and preserve cultural roots, while connecting languages provide a pan-Indian space for dialogue and mobility. The balance between the two is delicate, but it is vital for building an inclusive national identity. It is worth acknowledging that India’s linguistic diversity has often been viewed as a challenge to integration. Yet, history proves otherwise. Our independence movement found resonance in every tongue and dialect, united by a shared aspiration for freedom. In the present, language continues to act as a unifier, particularly when supported by policies that protect regional expressions while promoting national cohesion. Education plays a crucial role here. Multilingual education, which respects the child’s mother tongue while introducing them to national and global languages, can foster both rootedness and adaptability. By doing so, it can create citizens who are not only culturally anchored but also capable of innovation and global participation. The importance of language also extends into the economic domain. Regional languages have a profound impact on markets, consumer behaviour, and communication. The rapid growth of digital platforms in Indian languages reflects this reality. Empowering local languages in administration, business, and technology ensures wider participation, particularly from rural and marginalized communities. This is not simply a cultural imperative but an economic one, as inclusivity in communication opens doors to new opportunities and unleashes human potential. The elimination of the colonial mindset, especially in language, is an urgent task. For decades, English has dominated as the language of governance, education, and prestige, often creating hierarchies that marginalize native tongues. While English remains valuable as a global language of exchange, it must not eclipse the dignity and relevance of Indian languages. Recognizing the worth of one’s language is central to self-respect and national confidence. For India to move toward the status of a developed nation, it must reconcile the practical advantages of global languages with the intrinsic strength of its indigenous ones. Youth, in particular, have a pivotal role to play. They are the inheritors of a heritage that values diversity and innovation. By learning multiple languages and by preserving their mother tongues while engaging with others, young Indians can embody the spirit of inclusivity that the nation needs. They are the link between the past and the future, and their choices will determine whether India embraces its multilingual identity as a foundation for progress or allows it to fragment into divisions. The twenty-first century has often been described as India’s century, a claim rooted not only in economic potential but in cultural resilience. For India to emerge as a dominant global power, it must harness the collective energy of its languages, preserving them, promoting them, and using them as tools of integration rather than division. Unity built on linguistic pluralism is a deeper, more enduring unity, one that respects differences while striving toward common goals.

In this vision, language is not just a means of communication but a symbol of resistance, renewal, and aspiration. It resists the homogenizing pressures of colonial legacies, renews our collective identity through diversity, and aspires to transform India into a nation that leads not only through its economic might but also through the moral example of its inclusivity. If India can achieve this balance, it will not only strengthen its national identity but also set a precedent for the world, a living example of how unity in diversity, rooted in linguistic integration, can create a society that is both just and progressive.