Dr. Sathupati Prasanna Sree, a pioneering Indian linguist whose work has brought tribal languages to the forefront of linguistic and cultural preservation, is set to receive the Prof. R Subbakrishna Memorial Community Linguist Award 2025. This distinguished honor will be awarded at a special ceremony on July 23, 2025, at the Classic Hotel in Imphal, Manipur, during the inaugural International Conference on Population Education.

The conference and award ceremony are being jointly organized by the Directorate of Regional Indian Languages and Research (DRILR) and Manipur International University, in association with the Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup(AIMS) and supported by Famous People India World. These institutions have come together to recognize the essential role of linguists and scholars working to preserve India’s endangered languages and cultural diversity.

Dr. Prasanna Sree’s work stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of community linguistics. Over the course of her career, she has developed writing systems for 19 tribal languages in Andhra Pradesh, including Kupia, Koya, Porja, Jatapu, Konda-dora, Gadaba, Kolam, Gondi, Kotia, Savara, Kurru, Sugali, and Mukhadhora. These languages, many of which lacked any written form, have now been given an official script — opening new avenues for literacy, education, cultural expression, and the intergenerational transmission of indigenous knowledge.

Her work not only revives linguistic traditions but also strengthens the cultural roots of tribal communities that have long been marginalized. Through her efforts, these communities have gained tools for self-representation, documentation of their histories, and preservation of their heritage. Her mission reflects a larger movement toward inclusive linguistic justice in India.

Also Check

Beyond her scholarly contributions, Dr. Prasanna Sree has been a path-breaking leader in education. As the first tribal woman to serve as Vice Chancellor of Adikavi Nannaya University in Andhra Pradesh, she has broken multiple barriers and become a role model for tribal youth, especially women, across the country.

Her exceptional service has been recognized nationally and globally. She was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2022 by the Government of India for her contributions to women’s empowerment and education. In 2024, she received the Endangered Alphabets Project Award, acknowledging her role in preserving linguistic diversity on a global scale.

The upcoming award ceremony, set against the intellectual and cultural backdrop of Imphal, promises to be a landmark event. The collaboration of DRILR and Manipur International University highlights the urgent need for preserving India’s linguistic plurality, especially at a time when tribal and indigenous languages are under growing threat from globalization and homogenization.

Dr. Sathupati Prasanna Sree’s recognition with the Prof. R Subbakrishna Memorial Community Linguist Award 2025 is more than an individual achievement — it is a celebration of community empowerment, cultural resilience, and the enduring power of language to define identity and shape futures.