In a move towards promoting linguistic diversity in education, the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) have embarked on a project to develop 22,000 books in Indian languages over the next five years. The initiative, titled ASMITA (Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing), was officially launched on July 16, 2024, by Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education.
ASMITA represents a collaborative effort between the UGC and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, a high-powered committee under the Ministry of Education. The project aims to bolster the availability of academic resources in 22 scheduled Indian languages, in order to bridge linguistic divides and promote social cohesion. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed optimism about these initiatives aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP), envisioning a comprehensive repository that empowers learners and preserves India’s rich linguistic heritage.
UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar outlined the ambitious goals of ASMITA, aiming to produce 1,000 books across various disciplines in each of the 22 languages within the stipulated time frame. This effort will culminate in a diverse collection of 22,000 books catering to higher education needs across India.
In addition to ASMITA, the Ministry also launched “Bahubhasha Shabdkosh,” a comprehensive multilingual dictionary developed in collaboration with the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti. This reference tool aims to standardise vocabulary across Indian languages, facilitating their integration into contemporary domains such as IT, industry, research, and education.
Real-time Translation Architecture, another initiative under the project’s umbrella, seeks to enhance real-time translation capabilities across Indian languages. Headed by the National Education Technology Forum (NETF) and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, this technological framework promises to facilitate seamless communication and learning in diverse linguistic contexts.
The launch event saw participation from over 150 vice-chancellors representing universities nationwide. These academic leaders engaged in intensive workshops focused on textbook development in regional languages, with initial emphasis on languages including Punjabi, Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Odia. Discussions revolved around refining textbook content to incorporate indigenous knowledge systems, ensuring relevance and accessibility for students across different linguistic backgrounds.
