In a heartwarming video shared on social media, embassy staff extended their Independence Day greetings in a stunning 22 languages, mirroring the diversity enshrined in India’s Constitution.The post garnered significant attention, amassing over 7,000 views and hundreds of likes and shares.
“Did you know the Indian Constitution defines 22 scheduled languages? All of us at Embassy New Delhi and the consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai couldn’t decide which language to use to express our excitement about Indian Independence Day, so we just used them all! From every corner of the United States to every corner of India… Happy Independence Day!” reads the caption to the video.
India’s Constitution officially recognizes 22 languages, a reflection of the country’s rich linguistic tapestry. While the original document included 14, the list has expanded over time to encompass the diversity of India’s linguistic landscape. There is ongoing advocacy for the inclusion of even more languages, with proposals for additions like Bhojpuri, English, Pali, and Tulu gaining traction.