Vivekanand Education Society and University of Mumbai Sign MoU for Centre of Excellence in Sindhi Language, Heritage and Culture Studies
Mumbai, Dec 11: Vivekanand Education Society (VES) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Mumbai to establish a Centre of Excellence in Sindhi Language, Heritage, and Cultural Studies, which will include a dedicated Vivekanand Education Society Sindhi Research and Development Centre (SRDC). The MoU was signed at the University of Mumbai by Advocate Shri Rajesh Gehani, Secretary, VES, and Registrar Dr. Prasad Karande in the presence of Dr. Shri Ravindra Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, University of Mumbai, and Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Ajay Bhamare.
The initiative aims to preserve and promote the Sindhi language, culture, and heritage while strengthening institutional collaboration between VES and the University of Mumbai. The proposed Centre will be housed in a 12,000 sq. ft. facility in a new building at the University of Mumbai and is aligned with the Government of India’s broader mission to advance Sindhi languages. Through academic programmes, research initiatives, and community engagement, the Centre will work toward expanding access to heritage language education and scholarship.
This is a historic milestone for Sindhi’s and a long-awaited opportunity for them to take concrete steps to preserve their language and literature,” said Advocate Shri Rajesh Gehani, Secretary, Vivekanand Education Society. “The centre will enable linguistic analysis and study, digitisation of manuscripts, conversion and transliteration of Sindhi texts into digital formats in Arabic and Devanagari, audio rendering of Sindhi books into audio books, creation of audio-visual educational and research materials, as well as the recording and preservation of oral traditions. It will also support documentation of Sindhi culture, traditions and heritage; archival and preservation activities; academic conferences, seminars and workshops; along with educational and training programs. This model can be replicated in all other states in India, as Sindhi’s are present across the country.”
Vice-Chancellor, Mumbai University, Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni noted that “the Sindhi language carries a rich cultural legacy and heritage that must reach newer generations with due academic and research support. This initiative is not just an infrastructural expansion but a firm step towards the conservation of linguistic heritage,” he said, expressing confidence that the Department will evolve into a national and international hub for research and cultural outreach. “
This landmark collaboration between the University of Mumbai and Vivekanand Education Society (VES), through the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Sindhi Languages, Heritage and Cultural Studies; along with the dedicated Vivekanand Education Society Sindhi Research and Development Centre (SRDC); marks a significant step forward in elevating, preserving, and advancing the Sindhi language and its rich cultural legacy.
