Kolkata, July 19 (Agency): Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday inaugurated India's first 'Museum of Words' at the National Library Complex in Kolkata, West Bengal. The museum, developed by the National Library under the Ministry of Culture, showcases the country's linguistic heritage, scripts, and literary traditions in a lively manner using modern technology.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Amit Shah said that a country's language is its identity, culture, history, and heritage. He stated that a nation's civilization and values can be understood through its language. He appealed to students to learn at least one more Indian language besides their mother tongue, which would give them an opportunity to better understand India's cultural diversity.

Emphasizing the importance of libraries, he said that a nation's future is not determined by the number of students studying in colleges and universities, but also by the number of people using libraries to acquire knowledge. The culture of reading makes a society intellectually strong.

Amit Shah, referring to Bengal's intellectual and cultural heritage, said that the land has given the country numerous great writers, scientists, revolutionaries, and thinkers. He expressed confidence that West Bengal would once again play a significant role in the country's development. He said that he has been watching the state's development over the past nine months and that it is becoming the "beacon of light" of the country. Shah praised the state's BJP government, saying that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari, the resolve to build a "Sonar Bangla" would be fulfilled.

The first phase of the museum showcases the diversity of Indian languages, scripts, and literature. The museum has been designed as a modern experiential center, rather than a traditional exhibition hall, where visitors can see and experience the journey of Indian languages through digital displays, holograms, motion sensors, and other modern technologies.

The Museum of Words has a total of nine galleries, which display the history of Indian languages, various scripts, literature, and their impact on Indian civilization. The museum showcases the glorious heritage of India's 22 constitutional languages, from oral traditions to ancient manuscripts, printed literature, and modern digital media. Its objective is to present Indian languages as a living cultural heritage to the new generation and to preserve and popularize the country's linguistic diversity.