Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 1: The bishop of Mangalore diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha inaugurated ‘Bhasha Sangam 2023’, a day-long national-level symposium on ‘Language and religion: exploration and inter relations’ here at Milagres College on Saturday July 1.

The event is organised by Milagres College department of languages, IQAC, MICAA in collaboration with the chair in Christianity Mangalore University.

Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said, “The symposium is a convergence of languages. Language unites through communication - it might be through words, gestures, smile or silence. Communication is required for communion and that is to get united and have affinity to build relation. We are fortunate that we have many languages. Our beliefs, rituals, and culture are put in language forms.”

Speaking about Language and religion: exploration and inter relations, retired professor of JNU Purushottam Bilimale said, “There are more than 90,000 languages and dialects in the country which means we have more than 90,000 independent cultures. Silence is the language of good and a way to communicate with God to seek his blessings. There are religious languages spoken in the local community to connect with the deity. Why cannot we learn such languages, which are also among the preserved ones?”

He also said, “Religious languages work as religious archives and the concern is how religious languages have worked in India. When Firoz Khan was teaching Sanskrit in Banaras Hindu University there were wide protests against how a Muslim could teach Sanskrit and the whole essence of protest was Muslims cannot teach in Gurukula system and on whether Hindus are allowed to teach in madrasas. Religious language is not just a language that is linked with the community. The relation between language and religion continues to change over time and it is not stagnant. Religious language is created to explain or manifest religion and we can see the changes during the shift of languages from being a communicative language to that of a religious language.”

During the symposium, there were four technical sessions by principal GFCC Siddakatte Dr Ajakkala Girish Bhat, director Ryshivana Ranipura Dr Rudolph R Pinto, associate professor and head of department of Sanskrit SDM College Ujire Dr Sridhara N Bhatta and associate professor, head of department of Hindi University College, Dr Suma T Rodannavara.

Conference convenor Carol Fernandes, president, MICAA, Riana D Cunha was also present.

Principal Milagres College Fr Michael Santhumayor welcomed the gathering. Head of chair in Christianity Dr Ivan D Souza proposed the vote of thanks and III year BCom student Josten Vincent D’Souza compered the event.

During the valedictory, Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, correspondent, Milagres Educational Institutions presided over the function. In his presidential message, he spoke about the eminence of the languages spoken and encouraged the gathering to understand the linguistic diversity of India through the medium of languages. Sowmya, faculty and conference convenor proposed the vote of thanks.

A total of 200 delegates were present during the session.