Show summary Hide summary
Union Home Minister Amit Shah used the inauguration of a new language museum in Kolkata on Sunday to call for a cultural revival in Bengal, arguing the state should reclaim a leading role in India’s intellectual life. Speaking at the National Library, Shah framed the museum as part of a wider effort to protect linguistic heritage while promoting Indian multilingualism.
At the opening of the Museum of Word (Shabdalok), Shah emphasized the significance of language in shaping societies and urged citizens to preserve their mother tongue even as they learn other Indian languages. He described the institution as a step toward reconnecting Bengal with the broader currents of Indian culture.
What Shah said and why it matters now
Congress MP Imran Masood draws line on Vande Mataram: will stand, refuses to sing
Work-life balance: Indian expat’s viral clip contrasts UK evening leisure with India’s weekday rush
Shah warned against narrowness in public life and insisted India’s culture should remain open to diverse ideas. He also told the audience he had written to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari about the importance of preserving Bengali language and tradition; Adhikari is scheduled to read the letter in the state assembly.
Addressing current cultural debates, Shah suggested external influences had previously distanced Bengal from national narratives but argued the trend was reversing. He urged parents and educators to treat the home language as the foundation of learning while encouraging students to study at least one additional Indian language to deepen intercultural understanding.
Museum highlights and visitor experience
The new museum bills itself as India’s first immersive language centre. Developed by the National Library in collaboration with the National Council of Science Museums, it combines interactive exhibits with emerging technologies to showcase linguistic diversity and storytelling traditions.
- Nine interactive galleries covering regional languages, scripts and oral storytelling.
- Hands-on displays using RFID technology for personalized visitor interaction.
- Acoustic corridors designed to capture and present spoken forms, dialects and folk narratives.
- Multimedia installations that map language evolution and regional word histories.
Officials say the museum aims to be both educational and experiential, drawing school groups, researchers and general visitors into conversations about language preservation and innovation.
Policy and cultural implications
Beyond tourism and education, the launch has symbolic weight. Backers frame the museum as an instrument of cultural policy—an accessible public space that reinforces language as a component of identity and civic life.
Shah linked the project to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for cultural institutions, describing the museum as part of a broader plan to nurture India’s civilisational resources. Observers will watch whether the centre helps bridge regional cultural initiatives with national language outreach.
The event also underscores ongoing debates about how regional identity, language education and national cohesion intersect—questions likely to drive conversations in classrooms and assemblies across the state in the coming weeks.
