“If a language dies, so does the humanity”, Ganesh Devy Speaks at Exim Bank’s Seminar on Indian Languages
Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) organised a seminar on Indian languages under the aegis of Bank, Town Official Language Committee (TOLIC), Mumbai on Friday, February 28, 2020. Renowned linguist and cultural activist Ganesh N. Devy; literaturer and Hindi-Marathi writer Dr. Damodar Khadse and senior journalist and language activist Mr. Rahul Dev were present as the speakers for the event. Mr. David Rasquniha, Managing Director, Exim Bank, Senior officials of Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India were also present on this occasion. The seminar was well attended by officers from Mumbai based Banks, FIs and PSUs along with educators of Hindi departments and students of various colleges in Mumbai.
The speakers deliberated on the issues such as Future of Indian Languages, Co-existence of Indian Languages and Linguistic Diversity in India in various sessions of the seminar.
Padma Shri Ganesh N. Devy, best known for People’s Linguistic Survey of India, which is the biggest ever survey conducted by an individual, opined that Language is another currency on the earth and it is necessary to be well connected with the language. As of now, 68 volumes of this work have been published and the mission of documenting India’s living languages is still going on. He has documented more than 780 living languages of India, out of which many are on the verge of extinction. Mr. Devy opined that languages are the expression of humanity. If a language dies, so does the humanity. He said, he has an extraordinary love for languages and each and every language is close to his heart.
While addressing a session on ‘Co-existence of Indian Languages’ Hindi-Marathi writer Dr. Damodar Khadse opined that translation has played an important role in enriching this co-existence. Dr. Khadse, who has translated more than 80 books from Marathi to Hindi, gave various examples from the literary world, where writers of other Indian languages have widely been recognised after getting translated into Hindi. Dr. Vishwanath Jha, Deputy Director, Department of Official Language, Government of India, talked about various similarities in Aryan and Dravidian languages and opined that both the language families should be seen as one.
Senior journalist and language activist Mr. Rahul Dev said that, our languages are dying, but unfortunately many of us are unable to see this crisis. Many people believe that language has its importance only in getting employment. But we need to see it in a broader perspective. This is the crisis of identity and humanity. He opined that a language has a deep relation with innovation, original thought process, research, invention and economic growth. Language is not only the medium of communication, but it is our identity.
Mr. Vijay Kamble, General Manager, Bank of Maharashtra and Chairman, Bank TOLIC, Mumbai appreciated the Bank’s initiative of organising such a thought provoking seminar on Indian languages.
