Languages have evolved well beyond their original purpose of simple message transmission; they now serve as vibrant reflections of cultural identity, culinary traditions, and the unique characteristics of various communities.
On the occasion of “Bhartiya Bhasha Divas,” the Directorate of Student Affairs at SRM University-AP organised an engaging exhibition aimed at promoting regional languages and highlighting their significance in individuals’ lives. This day is commemorated in honour of the esteemed Tamil poet, Mahakavi Subramanya Bharati.
The exhibition featured informative posters showcasing 22 languages spoken across India. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora, inaugurated the event and actively engaged with students by quizzing them on the diverse languages of the country. During his address, he cited the National Education Policy, which advocates for education in regional languages as a key component of fostering linguistic diversity.
Ms Revathi Balakrishnan, Associate Director of Student Affairs, highlighted the importance of the day, further enriching the audience’s understanding of linguistic heritage. The event was attended by faculty, staff, and students, including Registrar, Dr R Premkumar ; Dean-Easwari School of Liberal Arts, Prof. Vishnupad, and Dr Vinayak Kalluri, Dean – Academic Affairs and Controller of Examinations.
In addition to the exhibition, the Directorate of Student Affairs organised a thought-provoking faculty talk featuring Dr Manaswini Sen, an Assistant Professor in the Department of History. In her talk, Dr Sen quoted Dr Jayashree Subramanian’s research paper, in which she emphasised the need to teach students concepts in mathematics in their regional language rather than a foreign language to help them understand the concepts better.
The session sparked engaging discussions led by Dr Johannes Kirscher, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, who stressed the necessity of teaching students in their native languages. Acknowledging that some students struggle with English as the medium of instruction, faculty members proposed a collective effort to learn Telugu, thereby enhancing their ability to support students more effectively.
The suggestions put forth emphasised the importance of personalised support, such as one-on-one tutoring for students encountering challenges with English. Additionally, there was a call to action for proactive measures to enhance English literacy among these learners. This event served as a significant reminder of the critical role that language plays in both education and community development.Through such initiatives, SRM University-AP reinforces its commitment to preserving linguistic diversity and empowering students to flourish in a multilingual environment.
