Revitalizing Indian Languages in Education: A New Paradigm

Jamia Millia Islamia concluded a national workshop to develop a Hindi social sciences glossary. Vice-Chancellor Prof Mazhar Asif emphasized moving away from a colonial mindset to focus on the Indian Knowledge System in education. The initiative aligns with historical calls for language-based intellectual growth.

Jamia Millia Islamia highlighted the importance of strengthening Indian languages in higher education as it wrapped up a five-day national workshop aimed at creating a Learner's Glossary of Social Sciences, translating terms from English to Hindi. Vice-Chancellor Prof Mazhar Asif stressed the need for Indian universities to abandon a colonial mindset and center the Indian Knowledge System in their curriculum.

The workshop, organized by the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology in collaboration with Jamia's Department of Political Science, focused on translating key social science terms to reflect Indian history, geography, and culture. Prof Asif noted that the process of translation is complex and requires sensitivity to context, urging scholars to go beyond literal interpretations.

Prof Naved Jamal, the workshop coordinator, connected the effort to historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Bhartendu Harishchandra, who advocated for intellectual growth in local languages. He also acknowledged the contributions of scientist Prof D S Kothari, previously chair of the CSTT, to the initiative.

(With inputs from agencies.)