New Delhi, February 4 – Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu raised concerns over the rapid decline of India’s diverse languages and regional dialects during Zero Hour in the ongoing Budget session, urging immediate government intervention to preserve the country’s linguistic heritage.
Sandhu mentioned that India once boasted over 120 languages and 270 mother tongues, along with nearly 19,500 regional dialects. However, with the growing standardization of major languages like Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Bengali, several regional dialects are now facing extinction.
“Punjab alone had 28 dialects practiced by different communities. Today, only four remain—Majhi, Malwai, Doabi, and Puadhi,” Sandhu said.
“These dialects reflect the region’s cultural heritage, and if steps aren’t taken for their preservation, we risk losing an essential part of our identity.”
To counter this decline, Sandhu proposed three key measures:
Teacher Training – Teachers should be trained to understand and incorporate local dialects while teaching in mother tongues.
Digitization of Literature – Traditional texts and literature in endangered dialects should be digitized and made accessible through public platforms.
Dictionary of Indian Dialects – A comprehensive dictionary documenting local dialects and their unique vocabulary should be created.
Sandhu also commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts under the New Education Policy (NEP) for recognizing India’s linguistic diversity.
He praised the NEP’s push for teaching STEM subjects in regional languages, noting that 19 institutions across 10 states have already implemented this change.
“The NEP’s priorities local language education and ensures that students grasp concepts more effectively and helps maintain linguistic heritage,” Sandhu noted, citing global examples like Singapore and the Philippines, where education in native languages has significantly improved learning outcomes.
He also pointed to Singapore’s model of using local dialects to educate individuals with intellectual disabilities, calling it an innovative approach that India could adopt.
Sandhu urged the government to integrate dialect preservation into elementary education, referencing the Union Budget’s increased allocation for the sector.
He also expressed hope that with proper funding and strategic initiatives, India’s endangered dialects could be safeguarded for future generations.