Call for youth to preserve tribal languages

The younger generation must play a key role in preserving tribal languages, said Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) Director B.V. Sharma on Friday (23 October, 2026).

Inaugurating the two-day seminar on “Tribal Languages and Indian Languages” at Andhra University (AU), organised jointly by the university and the Shakthi Foundation and sponsored by Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, he said that languages give tribal communities a distinct identity and reflect their culture and knowledge.

“Regular use of tribal languages beyond the home was essential for their preservation,” he said, adding that efforts were under way to identify and map languages.

AU Vice-Chancellor G. P. Raja Sekhar called for collaboration between linguists and technology experts to strengthen languages. He highlighted the decline in tribal students progressing from school to higher education, particularly girls facing socio-economic barriers. The university was counselling parents, with the support of its National Service Scheme, to encourage children to pursue higher education.

Mr. Raja Sekhar also said that the AU was exploring an agreement with the Alluri District Collector to coordinate tribal development initiatives. Students, researchers, and faculty members, including those from tribal areas, attended the seminar.

Sarraju, former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Hyderabad Central University, Telangana, and senior expert at Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, said India has more than 1,300 languages, some without scripts. He called for educational books in tribal languages and their integration with artificial intelligence.