Efforts to Preserve and Promote Endangered Languages in India

The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for the development of Indian languages and the promotion of multilingualism in the country.

The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was launched in 2003 with the aim to preserve and digitize ancient manuscripts written in various Indian languages and scripts.

The UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger is a comprehensive database of endangered languages worldwide. It provides information on the status of these languages, the factors threatening their existence, and the efforts being made to preserve them.

The Bhasha Sangam initiative was launched in 2018 with the aim to promote the use of Indian languages in higher education and research. It provides financial assistance to institutions for the development of study material, translation of books, and the establishment of language labs.

Odisha has the highest number of endangered languages in India, with over 20 languages facing extinction. These languages are spoken by small and marginalized communities and are often not taught in schools or used in official communication.

The Bhasha Utsav is an annual festival organized by CIIL to celebrate the linguistic diversity of India. It features cultural performances, exhibitions, and workshops related to different Indian languages.

Telangana is the first state in India to establish a separate department for the promotion of endangered languages. The department is responsible for the documentation, preservation, and promotion of the state's endangered languages.

Bhasha Bharati is an online platform launched by CIIL to provide resources for the study of Indian languages. It offers courses, tutorials, and materials in various Indian languages.

Karnataka has launched a scheme to provide financial assistance to individuals and organizations working on the preservation of endangered languages. The scheme provides grants for research, documentation, and the development of educational materials in endangered languages.

The Nyaya Bhasha initiative was launched in 2018 with the aim to promote the use of Indian languages in the judiciary. It provides training to judicial officers and staff in the use of Indian languages and encourages the use of Indian languages in court proceedings.

Odisha has launched a program to teach endangered languages in schools. The program aims to revitalize endangered languages by teaching them to children in their mother tongue.

The Bhasha Media initiative was launched in 2019 with the aim to promote the use of Indian languages in the media. It provides financial assistance to media organizations for the production of content in Indian languages.

Telangana has launched a scheme to provide scholarships to students pursuing higher education in endangered languages. The scheme aims to encourage students to study endangered languages and contribute to their preservation.

The Vigyan Bhasha initiative was launched in 2020 with the aim to promote the use of Indian languages in the field of science and technology. It provides funding for the translation of scientific and technical literature into Indian languages.