**Executive Summary**
On July 19, 2026, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the first phase of the 'Museum of Word' in Kolkata to advance the nation’s cultural renaissance. The museum preserves India’s multilingual heritage by chronicling the evolution of language from ancient traditions to modern Artificial Intelligence. The initiative aims to support the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 through five key principles for language preservation and the integration of digital technologies.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Museum Features and Purpose**
* **Historical Scope:** Chronicles the journey of language from "Omkar," the Shruti and Smriti traditions, and palm-leaf manuscripts to the printing press and Artificial Intelligence.
* **Immersive Experience:** Utilizes visual, auditory, tactile, and immersive technologies to transform the "invisible word" into a tangible experience.
* **Preservation of Legacy:** Houses a wide range of artifacts, inscriptions, and manuscripts (such as *Bhojpatra*) to preserve regional dialects, folk traditions, and the science of linguistics.
* **Recognition of Contributors:** Includes a dedicated gallery honoring great personalities, poets, and writers who have enriched Indian languages.
**Strategic Vision for Cultural Renaissance**
* **Viksit Bharat 2047:** Connects language preservation to the goal of building a developed India and restoring its position as a "Vishwa Guru" (World Guide).
* **Role of Bengal:** Identifies West Bengal as a historical beacon of India’s civilizational consciousness and a leader in intellectual and cultural guidance.
* **Technological Evolution:** Emphasizes that the museum must expand to encompass AI and digital tools to ensure Indian languages evolve alongside future technologies.
**Five Principles for Language Preservation**
* **Family Foundation:** The language spoken within the family should serve as a child’s first school.
* **Mother Tongue Education:** A child’s formal education should begin in their mother tongue to ensure better emotional and intellectual connection.
* **Original Thinking:** Schools and universities must transition into centers of original thought rather than just crowded institutions.
* **Digital Empowerment:** Every Indian language must be made digitally and AI-enabled to ensure its relevance for the next thousand years.
* **Community Outreach:** Libraries and museums must move beyond physical buildings through dedicated outreach campaigns targeting youth and adolescents.
**Impact Analysis**
**Youth and Future Generations**
**Impact**
They will have access to an immersive medium to learn about India's linguistic journey and cultural heritage, helping them refine their expression and credibility in society.
**Action Required**
Youth are encouraged to visit libraries regularly, internalize principles of grammar, and learn at least one Indian language in addition to their mother tongue.
**Educational Institutions (Schools and Universities)**
**Impact**
They are positioned as the primary engines for original thinking and the implementers of mother-tongue-based education.
**Action Required**
Universities must lead the way in fostering original thought and creativity, while schools must ensure *Vande Mataram* and mother-tongue education are central to their curriculum.
**Families**
**Impact**
Families are identified as the essential first tier of the linguistic preservation system.
**Action Required**
Parents must ensure the mother tongue is the primary language of communication and learning within the home.
**Government and Ministry of Culture**
**Impact**
Tasked with transforming intangible heritage into immersive experiences and managing the expansion of cultural institutions.
**Action Required**
Must continue to expand museum capabilities to include AI and ensure that cultural values reach the public through dedicated outreach and digital enablement of languages.
Key Entities Referenced
Museum of Word: An innovative initiative in Kolkata to preserve and showcase India's linguistic heritage, knowledge traditions, and the evolution of language through immersive and digital technologies.
Ministry of Culture: The primary government department responsible for the successful implementation and development of the Museum of Word project.
Viksit Bharat by 2047: The national vision for a developed India, which frames the preservation of linguistic and cultural identity as a core component of India's long-term growth.
Shri Amit Shah: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation who inaugurated the museum and articulated its role in the nation's cultural renaissance.
Kolkata, West Bengal: The central location where the Museum of Word is established, serving as a hub for this cultural and linguistic preservation initiative.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of
Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates the first
phase of the 'Museum of Word' in Kolkata
Today, this Museum of Words is giving concrete shape to
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji's resolve for the cultural
renaissance of the nation
This Museum of Words will serve as a powerful medium to
carry the journey of India's languages, culture, and cultural
renaissance to future generations
Language is shaped by words, words are shaped by
emotions, and culture is shaped by language, without
understanding this journey, the cultural renaissance of India
cannot be complete
We have never shied away from innovation and have always
embraced all that is noble and auspicious, that is why,
despite countless challenges and assaults, our cultural
journey stands as steadfast as the Himalayas
The Museum of Words should be expanded to encompass
digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence, enabling Indian
languages to evolve in line with the technologies of the future
This Museum of Words chronicles the entire journey of
language—from Omkar to grammar, the Shruti and Smriti
traditions, palm-leaf manuscripts, stone inscriptions, and the
printing press, all the way to Artificial Intelligence
This museum is an innovative initiative to preserve India's
multilingual consciousness, knowledge traditions, and
collective memory through visual, auditory, and immersive
experiencesThis museum has accomplished the significant task of
transforming the invisible word into a visual, auditory, tactile,
and immersive experience
Bengal has long been a global beacon of India's cultural
consciousness, time has now come for it to once again
assume the role of guiding the world
Let us resolve to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and restore
India's position as a Vishwa Guru, drawing strength from our
words, our culture, and our self-confidence
Our resolve for language should be that every family
becomes the first school of learning, every university
emerges as a centre of original thought, every language is
empowered with digital and AI capabil
प्रव तथ: 19 JUL 2026 7:36PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today inaugurated the first phase of the
'Museum of Word' in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. On the occasion, West Bengal Chief Minister
Shri Suvendu Adhikari, Finance Minister Shri Swapan Dasgupta, Union Home Secretary, Union Culture
Secretary, Director Intelligence Bureau (IB), and several other distinguished dignitaries were present.Addressing the gathering, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that today is a momentous day for
the languages and culture of the entire nation. Today, this Museum of Words is giving concrete shape to
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji's resolve for the cultural renaissance of the nation. Shri Shah said
that the expression of the culture of any nation or region is impossible without language, and language
itself cannot exist without words born out of human emotions and expression. He said that unless future
generations understand that language is formed by words, words emerge from emotions, culture is shaped
through language, and culture finds its expression through language, the cultural renaissance of the
country cannot be achieved. Shri Shah expressed confidence that this Museum of Words would serve as a
powerful medium for carrying the journey of India's languages, culture, and cultural renaissance to future
generations.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the Museum of Word beautifully depicts the entire journey
of the composition of Panini's grammar. He said that the Rigveda states that noble and auspicious thoughts
should continue to come to us from all directions—thoughts that are never suppressed, never obstructed,
and on the basis of which we should shape and advance our social life. Shri Shah said that narrow-
mindedness can never arise in our civilization because there is no place for narrowness in the very
foundation of Indian thought. He added that whenever we perform Bhoomi Pujan or recite the Shanti
Mantra, we pray for peace not only for humanity but also for animals, plants, and the entire universe.
Therefore, he said, narrow-mindedness can never be a symbol of Indian culture.Shri Amit Shah said that the Museum of Word will educate future generations about India's languages and
culture for generations to come, introduce them to the country's rich cultural heritage, and also guide them
in the way of life rooted in that heritage. He said that India has never imposed restrictions on ideas or
thought. Shri Shah noted that the museum traces the entire journey of the written word—from the sacred
Omkar to the origin of words and the development of grammar; from the Shrutis and Smritis to
manuscripts and inscriptions; and from the printing press to the modern era. Union Home Minister said
that the Museum of Words should be expanded to encompass digital technologies and Artificial
Intelligence (AI), enabling Indian languages to evolve in line with the technologies of the future. He said
that India has never shied away from innovation and has always embraced all that is noble and auspicious.
That is why, despite countless challenges and assaults, the nation's cultural journey stands as steadfast as
the Himalayas. He further said that the Museum of Words is an innovative initiative to preserve India's
multilingual consciousness, knowledge traditions, and collective memory through visual, auditory, and
immersive experiences.Union Home Minister said that West Bengal is home to many museums, and he is confident that the
Museum of Word will establish a prominent place for itself in a very short time. He said that every seeker
of language and words who visits the museum will certainly leave with valuable knowledge and
inspiration. Shri Shah said that introducing future generations to the science of words and linguistics was
an extremely subtle and challenging task, but the Ministry of Culture has accomplished it successfully. He
remarked that while words themselves cannot be confined, the Museum of Word has successfully captured
and presented the science behind them. He said that words can be heard, spoken, lived, and passed on to
future generations, and the Museum of Word will play a vital role in preserving and transmitting this
legacy. Shri Amit Shah further said that through the Museum of Word, the Ministry of Culture has
transformed India's intangible heritage into an experience that is visible, audible, tangible, and immersive.
Union Home Minister said that when the Museum of Word poses the question of what the world's first
spoken word might have been, and the answer Omkar appears, one is naturally inclined to feel that Omkar
was indeed the world's first word. He said that listening to a mother's lullabies in one's own language
instantly evokes memories of one's mother. Shri Shah added that the museum houses a wide range of
artefacts and manuscripts that offer a tangible and immersive experience to visitors. He said that the
museum preserves numerous dialects, languages, and the folk traditions of every region of the country,
narrating India's cultural journey through the medium of words. It also showcases inscriptions, copper
plates, Bhojpatra manuscripts, handwritten manuscripts, and a rich collection of printed books. Union
Home Minister said that after the journey from digital text to audio archives, the next milestone is to take
this legacy into the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Shri Amit Shah said that every gallery of the Museum of Word has been designed in a highly scientific
manner. He said that the orientation space begins with the origin of language and attempts to explain its
evolution through myths, lullabies, and sensory experiences. Shri Shah said that every individual has a
deep emotional bond with their mother tongue. He emphasized that this attachment to one's mother tongue
should become an integral part of one's character.Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that linguistics is a science that
has evolved naturally. He noted that while language is scientific in nature, it has developed in response to
human needs. Languages have evolved organically over time, and it is this natural evolution that has led to
their widespread acceptance in society. Shri Amit Shah said that numerous great personalities, poets, and
writers have contributed to preserving and enriching every language of the country. To honour their
invaluable contributions, a dedicated gallery has been created in the Museum of Word. Union Home
Minister said that the future of the country does not depend on how crowded its colleges and universities
are. Rather, it depends on how many young people and adolescents visit its libraries. He appealed to the
youth to make libraries an integral part of shaping their personality and intellectual growth.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that West Bengal has long been a global beacon of India's
civilizational consciousness. He said that there was a prolonged period during which attempts were made
to detach Bengal from India's cultural consciousness, and that narrow and foreign ideologies diminished
Bengal's ability to contribute to the nation and the world. Shri Shah said that Bengal is the land of
Maharshi Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He
added that Bengal has also produced some of the country's finest scientists, eminent litterateurs, and one
of India's greatest revolutionaries, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He noted that Bengal had traditionally
remained decades ahead of the rest of the country, guiding the nation with its intellectual and cultural
leadership. Expressing confidence in Bengal's future, Shri Amit Shah said that the intellectual beacon of
India's civilizational consciousness would once again awaken the world with its full strength. He said that
under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Shri Suvendu Adhikari, the ongoing
transformation in Bengal gives him confidence that the state will soon re-emerge as a radiant beacon of
Indian consciousness. Union Home Minister further said that India cannot be fully understood without
studying Maharshi Aurobindo. He noted that Maharshi Aurobindo interpreted India's past, explained its
present, and envisioned its future for the coming generations. Quoting Maharshi Aurobindo, Shri Shah
said that one day Bharat Mata would undoubtedly reclaim her place as the Vishwa Guru and strive to offer
her very best to humanity.
Shri Amit Shah urged the younger generation to understand the power of words and language, refine their
pronunciation, and internalize the principles of grammar to make their expression more effective and
impactful. He said that doing so would greatly enhance their acceptance, credibility, and influence in
society.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the entire nation is celebrating the 150th anniversary of
Vande Mataram, and it is particularly significant that the Museum of Word is being inaugurated at such a
historic moment. He said that when one stands on the stage and listens to the complete rendition of Vande
Mataram, one truly realizes the depth of devotion and reverence that every citizen should have for Bharat
Mata. Shri Shah remarked that despite the profound message embodied in the song, the country remained
unaware of its full significance for nearly 76–77 years after Independence. He expressed satisfaction that
today, Vande Mataram is sung in its entirety in schools across the country, describing it as a matter of
great joy
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conferred Classical Language status on
Bengali in 2024. He also noted that the nation recently commemorated the 125th birth anniversary of Dr.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Shri Shah said that it was Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee who had invited
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore to deliver the convocation address in Bengali at the University of Calcutta.
He noted that during British rule, this was the first time that a convocation address had been delivered in
an Indian language at any university in the country. He said that today, Bengal is once again moving
steadily towards becoming 'Sonar Bangla'.Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that while human beings often believe they created language,
he believes that it is language that has shaped humanity. He said that a person truly becomes human when
emotions are awakened, and it is language that awakens those emotions. The foundation of every language
lies in words—especially the words of one's own language—and the Museum of Word will play an
important role in preserving and promoting this legacy. Shri Shah said that five principles are crucial for
the preservation and development of languages. First, the language spoken within the family should
become a child's first school. Second, a child's education should begin in the mother's tongue. Third,
schools and universities should become centres of original thinking, because only then can society make
meaningful contributions to innovation and creativity. He said that universities should lead the way in
fostering original thought. He also emphasized that every Indian language should be made digitally and
AI-enabled, thereby extending its vitality and relevance for another thousand years. Union Home Minister
said that libraries and museums should not remain confined to their physical buildings. Instead, efforts
should be made to ensure that the values, knowledge, and emotions they embody reach the country's youth
and adolescents through dedicated outreach campaigns. Shri Amit Shah further urged every young person
to learn at least one other Indian language alongside their mother tongue. He said that this would help not
only in preserving one's own mother tongue but also in ensuring the long-term vitality of all Indian
languages. He added that if governments, the education system, and, above all, the people of the country
embrace and promote these five principles, it would make a significant contribution to the preservation,
promotion, and service of India's languages.
Shri Amit Shah said that from the soil of Bengal, regarded as a beacon of Indian culture, the nation should
resolve to strengthen its culture through the power of words. He said that a strong culture will inspire self-
confidence, and with that self-confidence, India will realize the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 and
fulfill its aspiration of re-establishing Bharat Mata as the Vishwa Guru. Shri Shah said that the Museum of
Word will serve as the foundation for realizing this vision.
***RK/PR/PS
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