International Conference on Mother Language and Awards 2026 held at Nalanda Open University

A two-day international conference focusing on mother language, human rights, peace, and press freedom was held on January 4–5 at Nalanda Open University in Rajgir, Bihar. The event was jointly organized by Nalanda Open University and the SAARC Journalists Forum.

Titled International Conference on International Mother Language and International Award 2026, the programme brought together around 200 journalists, academicians, human rights activists, and cultural figures from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, the United States, and Mauritius.

The conference was inaugurated by former Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad. Chief guests included former Nalanda University Vice-Chancellor K. C. Sinha and Mauritian writer and cultural activist Sarita Budhu. SJF President Raju Lama and Secretary General Md. Abdur Rahman attended as special guests, alongside journalists from Nepal and other South Asian countries.

The first session, Journalism and Human Rights: A Global Challenge, featured regional perspectives, including a virtual address by Sri Lankan journalist Rahul Samantha. Subsequent sessions examined the educational legacy of Nalanda and the cultural and linguistic heritage of Bihar.

Discussions highlighted the global importance of mother tongues, press freedom, and the role of journalism as a safeguard for democracy and human rights in South Asia. Speakers also revisited the legacy of Bangladesh’s 1952 language movement, which led to International Mother Language Day.

Awards were presented to distinguished individuals, including Lifetime Achievement Awards to Dr. Sarita Budhu, Padma Shri Dr. J. K. Singh, Dr. Brajanandan Kumar Sinha, and Dr. Sushmita Pandey. On the final day, delegates visited the ancient ruins of Nalanda University.

Five senior journalists from Bangladesh participated in the conference, reinforcing regional media cooperation and dialogue.