6 - 12 September 2025

01. Odisha CM: Tribal Languages Essential for Odia Identity

At Odisha Literary Festival, CM Majhi emphasized tribal languages are vital to Odia pride. While only Santhali has script recognition, efforts continue to preserve other tribal languages by printing books in Odia script using tribal spoken language for educational materials.

02. Government Launches Adi Vaani: AI Translator for Tribal Languages

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has introduced Adi Vaani, an AI-powered translation app supporting four tribal languages. Developed by IIT Delhi and partners, it offers text and speech translation to help preserve endangered languages and improve access to education and services.

03. Meta Recruiting US Contractors to Build Hindi AI Chatbots for Indian Users

Meta is hiring US-based contractors at up to $55/hour to develop culturally relevant Hindi chatbots for Indian platforms including WhatsApp and Instagram, as part of its expansion into growing markets while facing criticism over content safety and privacy concerns.

04. Karnataka Deputy CM Backs Tulu as Second Official Language

Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar pledged to discuss making Tulu Karnataka's second official language in the state cabinet. Speaking at a Tulu cultural event in Bengaluru, he praised coastal communities' contributions and promised a tourism policy to reduce migration.

05. Fundraiser Launched for Tamil Folk Songs Documentary

Makkal Osai is raising funds for a documentary featuring Tamil folk songs collected by scholar Dr. R. Dhandayudham. These songs document struggles of Indian migrants in Malaysia. Filmmaker Kumanan Rajendran aims to raise RM80,000 for this important cultural preservation project.

06. Google's AI Mode Now Supports Hindi, Opening New Language Learning Possibilities

Google's AI search tool, powered by Gemini 2.5, has expanded to support Hindi alongside Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese. This upgrade makes advanced AI search capabilities accessible to millions of Hindi speakers, enhancing language accessibility in the digital space.

07. Tripura Declares Annual Chakma Language Day, Google Translate Integration Coming

Tripura will celebrate Chakma Script and Language Day annually on August 7. The government is adding Chakma to Google Translate with 50,000 words compiled so far, and currently teaches the language in 123 schools across the state.

08. New Digital Platform 'Adi Sanskriti' to Preserve Tribal Languages and Culture

The Tribal Affairs Ministry launched 'Adi Sanskriti', a digital platform offering courses on tribal arts and a cultural repository with 5,000+ documents. It complements the 'Adi Vaani' initiative, which provides translation services for Adivasi languages including Gondi, Bhili, Santali, and Mundari.

09. PM Modi Launches Gyan Bharatam Mission to Digitize Ancient Indian Manuscripts

PM Modi launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission to digitize over 1 crore Indian manuscripts in nearly 80 languages including Sanskrit, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali, and Kannada. This initiative aims to preserve India's knowledge heritage and prevent intellectual piracy.

10. Madhya Pradesh Universities to Teach Major Indian Languages to Foster National Unity

Madhya Pradesh's government will introduce courses in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Oriya across 17 universities. The initiative aims to break language barriers, enhance employment opportunities, and promote cultural understanding, though opposition calls it a publicity stunt.

11. Australia Recognizes Punjabi as 17th Official Language

Australia has officially recognized Punjabi as its 17th official language, a move praised by Giani Raghbir Singh, head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, who simultaneously expressed concern over Punjabi's neglect in its native Punjab.

12. Maharashtra Forms Panel to Study Three-Language Policy Implementation

Maharashtra appointed six members to a committee studying the three-language policy implementation in state schools, following controversy over making Hindi mandatory in primary education. Language bodies continue opposing the panel, arguing it contradicts NEP 2020 guidelines.

13. Russia Expands Hindi Education as Bilateral Ties with India Strengthen

Russia is significantly increasing Hindi language programs across universities, with Deputy Minister Mogilevsky noting growing student interest. Moscow universities report 2-3 times more Hindi students, reflecting deeper India-Russia relations ahead of Putin's December visit to India.