Amit Shah inaugurates India's first language museum in Kolkata

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaking at the inauguration of the Museum of the Word (Shabdalok) at the National Library campus in Kolkata, Sunday, July 19, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

Stressing that a country’s language carries its heritage and offers a window into its culture, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (July 19, 2026) inaugurated the Word Museum at the National Library campus, calling it a step to preserve the virasat (heritage) of India.

Also known as Shabdalok, the country’s first immersive language museum, developed by the National Library under the auspices of the Union Ministry of Culture, celebrates India’s rich linguistic heritage and showcases the evolution of its oral and written traditions through interactive and technological exhibits.

“Our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has prioritized both Vikas (development) and virasat (heritage). This museum is a step to preserve India’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. Our language carries our heritage and through languages you can understand the culture of the country,” Mr Shah said on the occasion of the inauguration.

The museum contains nine galleries exploring various aspects of the history of languages and their influence on Indian civilization and culture. He tries to present language as a living entity that has continuously shaped society and been shaped by it at the same time.

The first phase of the museum captures the diversity of Indian languages, scripts and literature. Rather than a conventional repository, it was designed as an immersive cultural experience using digital displays, holograms and motion sensor technology to engage visitors.

Shabdalok celebrates India’s 22 official languages and traces their journey from oral traditions and ancient manuscripts to printed works and modern electronic texts, highlighting the country’s enduring linguistic diversity.

“Our officials are also working to digitize more than 1,000,000 manuscripts they have collected; Bengal was the center of India’s cultural revolution but lost its way in the middle. It was occupied by foreign powers. Time to revive our culture,” Mr Shah said.

The Union Minister also praised the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal. “I have been watching West Bengal closely for the last nine months and it is becoming the prakash stambh (guiding light) of the country. I am sure that the vision of sonar Bangla (golden Bengal) would be realized under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari,” Mr Shah said.

Published – 19 Jul 2026 17:03 IST