Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp 2026 to Promote Multilingual Learning and Cultural Unity

Education experts say multilingualism plays a crucial role in strengthening cognitive flexibility, creativity, communication skills and social understanding among children.

In a major push to strengthen multilingual education and celebrate India's vast linguistic heritage, the Ministry of Education on Wednesday launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp (BBSC) 2026, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting Indian languages, cultural exchange and inclusive learning among school students.

The programme was formally launched by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) in New Delhi.

The initiative aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the broader national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, with a focus on strengthening multilingualism, cultural integration and experiential learning among children.

Officials described the programme as an important step toward preserving India's linguistic diversity while helping students build stronger cognitive, cultural and communication skills through exposure to multiple Indian languages.

Celebrating India's Extraordinary Linguistic Heritage

India is home to one of the world's richest linguistic landscapes, with approximately 1,369 languages and dialects spoken across the country.

The Ministry said the Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp has been designed to help children experience this diversity through joyful, activity-based and interactive learning methods that promote appreciation for India's cultural plurality.

The initiative seeks to reinforce the spirit of:

"Unity in Diversity"

by encouraging students to engage with languages and traditions beyond their own regional or linguistic backgrounds.

Education experts say multilingualism plays a crucial role in strengthening cognitive flexibility, creativity, communication skills and social understanding among children.

NEP 2020 Places Strong Emphasis on Multilingualism

Addressing the gathering, Shri Sanjay Kumar highlighted the transformative vision of the National Education Policy 2020, particularly its emphasis on multilingual learning and mother tongue-based education.

He stressed that language is one of the most powerful mediums of communication and plays a foundational role in learning and intellectual development.

The Secretary encouraged students to:

• Learn in their mother tongue

• Embrace multilingual education

• Expand vocabulary and communication skills

• Explore Indian literature

• Appreciate the richness of Indian languages

Officials said the initiative reflects NEP 2020's broader objective of promoting inclusive and culturally rooted education systems.

Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti Highlights National Integration

Speaking at the event, Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry, Chairman of the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, emphasised that India's linguistic diversity represents one of the country's greatest cultural strengths.

He noted that multilingualism helps foster:

• Emotional connection

• Cultural understanding

• National integration

• Mutual respect

• Shared identity across regions

Shastry encouraged students to use their summer vacations to learn Indian languages and deepen their connection with India's cultural roots and traditions.

"Learning Indian languages would help students connect more deeply with the cultural roots and diverse traditions of India," he said.

NCERT Highlights Language as Tool for Creativity and Inclusion

Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director of NCERT, also underlined the importance of multilingual education in strengthening creativity, understanding and cultural identity.

He noted that Indian languages are not merely tools for communication but also vehicles for:

• Expression

• Knowledge sharing

• Social connection

• Cultural preservation

Referring to NEP 2020, Saklani said the policy promotes multilingualism as a way to:

• Encourage inclusive education

• Preserve linguistic diversity

• Foster national integration

• Build mutual respect across communities

Education specialists increasingly view multilingual learning as essential in preparing students for diverse social and cultural environments while preserving local knowledge systems.

More Than Five Crore Students Participated

The Ministry revealed that during the 2025–26 academic year, more than five crore students actively participated in Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp activities across the country.

Officials said the scale of participation reflects growing national interest in multilingual education and cultural exchange programmes.

The initiative targets students from Classes 1 to 12 and seeks to engage them through interactive and experiential learning formats.

Activity-Based Learning Through Culture and Language

The Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp uses a wide range of creative learning approaches to make language learning enjoyable and accessible.

Activities Include:

• Storytelling

• Songs

• Theatre

• Games

• Conversations

• Folk traditions

• Art activities

• Cultural exchange programmes

Children are encouraged to learn basic conversational skills in an Indian language other than their mother tongue while developing appreciation for different regional cultures and traditions.

Officials said the experiential model is designed to reduce fear of language learning and make multilingual education more engaging and inclusive.

Indian Sign Language Included for Inclusive Education

One of the major highlights of BBSC 2026 is the inclusion of Indian Sign Language (ISL) within the programme framework.

The Ministry said the move reflects growing emphasis on inclusive and equitable education.

Schools participating in the programme have been encouraged to:

• Use ISL learning resources

• Access PM e-Vidya DTH TV ISL Channel No. 31

• Collaborate with special educators

• Work with local organisations supporting inclusive learning

Education advocates say inclusion of ISL represents an important step toward expanding accessibility and promoting greater awareness about communication diversity.

Exhibition and Cultural Performances Add Vibrancy

The programme also featured a special exhibition focused on multilingual education and innovative learning practices related to Indian languages.

The exhibition showcased:

• Multilingual teaching models

• Language preservation initiatives

• Digital learning tools

• Innovative classroom approaches

A Nukkad Natak (street play) performed by students from Kendriya Vidyalayas added vibrancy to the event while conveying messages around:

• Linguistic inclusivity

• National unity

• Cultural diversity

Officials said such cultural performances help students engage emotionally and creatively with the idea of multilingualism.

Strengthening National Integration Through Language

The Ministry emphasised that Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp is not only an educational initiative but also a nation-building exercise aimed at strengthening social cohesion through cultural understanding.

The programme seeks to benefit:

• Students

• Teachers

• Schools

• Local communities

by encouraging greater interaction between languages, traditions and regional identities.

Education policymakers say multilingual education can play a major role in promoting empathy, intercultural understanding and national integration in a highly diverse country like India.

Language Preservation Becoming National Priority

The launch of BBSC 2026 comes amid increasing global concern over the loss of indigenous and regional languages.

India's emphasis on multilingual education reflects broader efforts to:

• Preserve linguistic heritage

• Promote cultural continuity

• Strengthen regional identities

• Improve foundational learning

• Support inclusive education

The Ministry reiterated that India's linguistic diversity remains one of the country's greatest civilisational strengths and a key pillar of its cultural identity.

As India moves toward the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047, officials say initiatives such as Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp will play an important role in nurturing culturally rooted, confident and multilingual future generations.