Ministry of Tribal Affairs Celebrates Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav 2025, Honouring India’s Diverse Tribal Linguistic Heritage

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) participated in the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav 2025, organized by the Ministry of Education on the birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati in New Delhi. The MoTA showcased tribal language publications from Tribal Research Institutes and the live demonstration of the Adi Vaani app developed by IIT Delhi. The event took place on December 11, 2025, and highlighted the importance of tribal languages in India. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Event Overview:** * Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 was organized by the Ministry of Education. * The event celebrated India's linguistic diversity with the theme “Many Languages, One Emotion.” * MoTA actively participated, emphasizing the significance of India's tribal languages. * **MoTA Exhibition:** * MoTA set up a stall featuring tribal language publications from Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs). * Participating TRIs were from Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gujarat. * Display included dictionaries, primers, storybooks, and research documents. * **Adi Vaani App Demonstration:** * Live demonstration of the Adi Vaani app, India's first AI-powered tribal language translator developed by IIT Delhi. * Adi Vaani is designed to ensure the survival and growth of India's tribal languages. * The app offers real-time text and speech translation between Hindi/English and tribal languages. * It provides interactive learning tools and digitally preserves indigenous knowledge. * In its initial phase, Adi Vaani supports Santali, Kui, Bhili, Mundari, Gondi, and Garo languages. * **Cultural Performances:** * Students of EMRS Kalsi (Uttarakhand), under NESTS, presented a cultural dance performance. * Students also presented an impactful nukkad natak reflecting cultural ethos and social awareness of tribal youth. * Students rendered “Vande Mataram” in 22 Indian languages. **Impact Analysis** **Tribal Communities** * **Impact**: Preservation and promotion of their languages and cultural heritage, increased access to learning tools, and digital preservation of indigenous knowledge. * **Action Required**: Engage with the Adi Vaani app and utilize its features to preserve and promote their languages. Provide feedback to guide future expansions and regional priorities. **Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) of Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gujarat** * **Impact**: Opportunity to showcase tribal language publications and research. * **Action Required**: Continue to curate and promote tribal language materials for exhibition and dissemination through the MoTA and Adi Vaani app. **IIT Delhi Team** * **Impact**: Showcasing the Adi Vaani app and its capabilities, contributing to the preservation and promotion of tribal languages. * **Action Required**: Continue to develop and expand the Adi Vaani app, incorporating community feedback and regional priorities. **Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)** * **Impact**: Reinforcing their commitment to celebrating and strengthening India's multilingual heritage, promoting tribal languages as an integral part of India's linguistic and cultural fabric. * **Action Required**: Continue to support initiatives like the Adi Vaani app and engage with relevant stakeholders to further the preservation and promotion of tribal languages. **Ministry of Education** * **Impact**: The collaboration with MoTA can enhance the diversity and inclusivity of language education and cultural preservation efforts in India. * **Action Required**: Partner with MoTA and other relevant organizations to integrate tribal languages and cultures into educational programs and initiatives, ensuring representation and support for linguistic diversity.

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