National resolve needed to preserve tribal languages, culture: Union Minister

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uikey and other dignitaries at a national seminar on ‘Tribal Languages and Museums’, in Mysuru on Monday. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uikey on Monday called for a national resolve to preserve and promote tribal languages and culture.Inaugurating a national seminar on “Tribal Languages and Museums”, organised by the Department of Scheduled Tribes Welfare, Bengaluru, and the Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute, Mr. Uikey said collective efforts were needed to safeguard tribal languages, traditions and cultural heritage.Mr. Uikey said Mysuru, with its rich legacy of royal dynasties, art, literature, music and folk traditions, was an appropriate venue for discussions on preserving cultural heritage. Museums documenting tribal languages, traditions and the history of tribal freedom fighters could play an important role in preserving the country’s cultural identity, he said.Highlighting the close relationship between tribal communities and nature, Mr. Uikey said their contributions at various stages of Indian history had not been adequately documented in mainstream historical narratives.Expressing concern over river pollution and the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, Mr. Uikey said modern society, in its pursuit of material prosperity, was gradually losing its balance with nature. Tribal communities, he said, were custodians of ancient knowledge and traditional ways of life.Referring to the three-day discussions and workshop on tribal knowledge systems, traditions, education and cultural values, he said tribal communities should have an equal role in India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Ensuring their participation in development and providing equal opportunities would contribute to the country’s overall progress, he said.Minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare T. Raghumurthy said the disappearance of a tribal language would result in the loss of not only the language but also the community’s culture, traditions and traditional knowledge.He called for greater priority to be given to the documentation, preservation and revival of tribal languages. A comprehensive language profile should be prepared covering the vitality of each language, number of speakers, geographical spread, inter-generational transmission, use in education, written and digital resources, and the status of existing documentation, he said.MP for Mysuru-Kodagu Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said coordinated efforts by the Union and State governments could help achieve better results in the overall development of tribal communities in the State.The goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ could be achieved only when all communities progressed together, he said, adding that tribal communities had made immense contributions throughout Indian history and would have an important role in building a developed India.Mr. Yaduveer said language preservation was not merely about saving languages but also about protecting local culture, traditional knowledge and heritage. He said discussions should focus not only on what governments could do for tribal communities but also on the contribution these communities could make towards nation-building.Pointing to the importance given to tribal art and culture in Karnataka, he said several tribal art forms were showcased during the Mysuru Dasara procession and other cultural programmes held during the 10-day festival. Such cultural activities should be expanded further with the support of the Union government, he said.Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs Joint Secretary Ananth Prakash Pandey, Karnataka Bovi Development Corporation Chairman Ramappa, Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department Secretary Kanagavalli, Central Institute of Indian Languages Director Basavaraj Kodagunti and others were present. Published - August 24, 2026 06:33 pm IST