Kiren Rijiju lays foundation stone for Centre of Excellence in Heritage Languages at Mumbai University

Kiren Rijiju Lays Foundation for New Centre to Save India’s Heritage Languages

MUMBAI: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju took a big step on Sunday to protect India’s rich mix of languages and cultures. He laid the foundation stone for the Centre of Excellence in Heritage Languages and Cultural Studies at the University of Mumbai. This exciting project, led by the Ministry of Minority Affairs with the university’s help, focuses on researching, documenting, and teaching endangered and heritage languages in India.

The centre will become a go-to spot for scholars, researchers, and students. They can dive deep into linguistic traditions that face threats from modern life and global changes. Rijiju shared his thoughts at the event, stressing how vital this is for the nation. "This Centre of Excellence will build a solid base to save our country’s linguistic heritage," he said. "It will boost our cultural and language scene while protecting India’s diverse traditions."

Rijiju also highlighted the government’s strong support for minority communities and India’s inclusive spirit. "The Ministry of Minority Affairs is working on several ways to preserve our languages," he added. "Our goal is to back minority groups, and this centre shows that promise. India has always championed inclusiveness—our culture celebrates diversity, and we’re building the right setup to nurture it."

He gave a shoutout to Mumbai’s key role in India’s growth, calling it a shining example of progress and national dreams. "As India pushes to become a developed nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, cities like Mumbai will lead the way," Rijiju noted.

The minister touched on India’s global rise too, pointing out its strength amid challenges. "In the last four years, India has climbed to the world’s fourth-largest economy," he said. "But some groups might try to slow us down, so social unity matters a lot. No other country cares for its minorities like India does. While neighbors deal with unrest, we stay firm in our constitutional values."

Officials say the Centre of Excellence in Heritage Languages will offer special courses, run workshops, and open doors to cutting-edge research. It will team up with national and international groups, plus local communities, to capture and spread knowledge about languages and cultures from different parts of India.

University leaders thanked the government for the backing and promised to turn this into a top model for preserving India’s linguistic and cultural treasures. This move comes as part of broader efforts to safeguard India’s diverse heritage languages and cultural studies amid rapid changes.

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