Date: 26 Mar 2026

Two-Day Academic Conclave Witnesses Insightful Session-Wise Deliberations on Language, Democracy, and Knowledge Systems

Mata Sundri College for Women, University of Delhi, in collaboration with Punjabi Sahit Sabha, New Delhi, successfully organised the two-day Language Festival “Bhasha Mein Loktantra – A Language Festival 2026” on 24–25 March 2026 at the Mata Sahib Kaur Auditorium. The festival brought together eminent scholars, writers, and public intellectuals to deliberate upon the evolving role of language in society, polity, and knowledge production.

The festival commenced with an inaugural session marked by intellectual depth and distinguished presence. The keynote address was delivered by Sh. Madhav Kaushak, President, Sahitya Akademi, who eloquently highlighted the cultural, literary, and epistemic significance of Indian languages in sustaining democratic traditions. The session was graced by Prof. Renuka Singh, Chairperson, Punjabi Sahit Sabha, as the Guest of Honour, while Sh. Rajshekhar Vyas, Additional Director General, Doordarshan, presided over the session as Chair. The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Harpreet Kaur, Principal of the college, who underscored the relevance of linguistic inclusivity in higher education. The session concluded with insightful remarks by Prof. Rawail Singh, followed by a formal vote of thanks proposed by Prof. Lokesh Kumar Gupta, Director, IQAC.

The first technical session on “Role of Regional Languages in Nation Building” set the tone for the academic deliberations. The session featured Prof. Girishwar Mishra, Prof. Pankaj Kumar Mishra, Prof. Ravinder Singh, and Ms. Rumi Malik, who offered insights from their respective fields. The session concluded with remarks by Dr. Harinder M. Sandhu and was effectively moderated by Dr. Jasmeet Kaur.

The second day began with the technical session on “Democracy of Language and Language in Democracy”, which witnessed enriching deliberations by Sh. Ashok Vajpayi, Prof. Purushottam Agrawal, and Dr. Priyadarshini. The session concluded with remarks by Dr. Manisha Mathur and was moderated by Dr. Sanchita Khurana, ensuring a coherent and engaging dialogue.

The third technical session on “Language in the Era of Global Market” addressed the changing status of languages in the context of globalisation. Prof. Manindra Nath Thakur, Prof. Surinder S. Jodhka, and Prof. Peggy Mohan shared their perspectives. The session was moderated by Dr. Ruchika Sharma, who facilitated a nuanced exchange of ideas.

The fourth technical session on “Linguistic Dominance over Knowledge” engaged deeply with questions of power, access, and epistemology. Prof. Salil Mishra, Dr. Swarajbir, and Prof. Sarabjit Singh contributed to the discussion. The session concluded with remarks by Prof. Daljit Kaur and was moderated by Prof. Gurjit Kaur.

The festival culminated in the valedictory session on “National Education Policy and Indian Languages”, featuring Prof. Niranjan Kumar and Dr. Priyaranjan Trivedi, who emphasised the critical role of Indian languages in shaping an inclusive and accessible education system. The session concluded with remarks by Dr. Radhika Menon, followed by a formal vote of thanks by Prof. Lokesh Kumar Gupta, marking the successful culmination of the event.

The two-day festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, faculty members, and scholars, and served as a dynamic platform for meaningful dialogue and critical engagement, reaffirming the importance of linguistic diversity in fostering an inclusive, democratic, and knowledge-driven society. The event was a resounding success, reflecting the collective efforts of the organising team and the vibrant academic spirit of the institution.