Introduction

Bhasha Sanchika, the digital language repository of the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), where language preservation, dissemination, and technological advancement converge in a pioneering initiative. Established over 54 years ago, CIIL plays a pivotal role in the multifaceted landscape of language development and research in India. One of its primary functions is to advise and assist both the Central and State Governments on language-related matters, fostering linguistic harmony and promoting the learning Indian languages by non-native speakers.

CIIL's Commitment

CIIL's commitment extends to the development of all Indian languages, exemplified through the creation of content and corpora. The institute is dedicated to protecting and documenting minor, minority, and tribal languages, recognizing their cultural significance. The institute's responsibilities encompass language analysis, pedagogy, technology, and use, addressing challenges in education, literacy, mass media, governance, and emotional integration. Moreover, CIIL functions as a catalyst for convergence of diverse disciplines and institutions, fostering collaboration and idea exchange.

A dedicated step in this regard is now being launched in the form of the digital archive Bhasha Sanchika. Built on the widely-used open-source digital asset management platform D-Space, Bhasha Sanchika is a dynamic resource hub contributing to the bonds of unity among different Indian languages amidst a diverse landscape of linguistic and cultural development.

Bhasha Sanchika Objectives

Bhasha Sanchika is driven by a set of primary objectives:

• Ensuring the enduring storage and preservation of linguistic and cultural data.
• Enhancing the digital presence of Indian languages and mother tongues across the web.
• Providing Indian linguistic resources in diverse formats - text, image, audio, and video.
• Aiding in creating language technology resources, language pedagogy materials, and other language-related products and services.

Rich Collections

Bhasha Sanchika hosts a rich array of collections sourced from various schemes and projects of CIIL, including old photographs, language records (text and audio), cultural documentaries, language and script lessons, books, glossaries, dictionaries, textbooks, and more. Additionally, it archives content from CIIL's classical language schemes, showcasing the depth and diversity of India's linguistic heritage.

Specialized Sections

• SPPEL: The dedicated Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL) focuses on endangered mother tongues/languages, encompassing raw audio files, transcriptions, translations, photographs, and videos.
• Bhasha Mandakini: This section features video documentaries covering various aspects of Bangla, Marathi, Kannada, and Tamil language and literature, contributing to a deeper understanding of cultural nuances.
• Bharatavani: Providing brief details of content in 121 languages, Bharatavani provides a portal for reading and downloading books collected from various sources across India.
• CIIL Publications: An overview of all CIIL publications, potentially including scanned copies of books available on the Bharatavani portal.

Explore India's rich Linguistic Heritage

In essence, Bhasha Sanchika emerges as a comprehensive digital repository aligning with national initiatives such as NEP-2020, EK Bharat Shreshth Bharat, Digital India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Beyond preserving linguistic diversity, it serves as a catalyst for research, education, and the promotion of Indian languages in the digital age.

Contact

For any queries, suggestions or feedback please reach out to

Dr. Sujoy Sarkar