Postcolonial literary engagement with language and identity unravels the colonial conspiracy to undermine and obliterate native languages and identity. The Caribbean poet Derek Walcott wrote, "If you want to change your language, change your life." Shakespeare's The Tempest shows how Prospero was instrumental in Sycorax's loss of language and Caliban's subsequent shift to a different language. Aijaz Ahmad's remark in his book In Theory, "We are all Calibans," is a jibe at such colonial mentality.

Language is central to our identity, not only as a marker of our culture but also as our identity as a society and nation. Colonizers used the power of language to alter the identity of natives by demeaning native languages, dubbing them unscientific, ill-organized, unstructured, and the language of uncivilized people. The proverbial "white man's burden" proved to be political propaganda, first imposing English and English education in the colonies of Africa, Canada, India, and Caribbean countries.

In India, Macaulay's system of education was a well-planned evil design to produce a class brown in skin and English in thought. This was guided by the unholy desire to change the identity of Indians. In protest against such moves, the process of decolonization started in these countries, arising out of complexities of identity and language.

Language and identity cannot be thought of as different entities; they are integrated and inseparable. Language is part of our cultural inheritance; it shapes our thought processes and exposes us to the external world. In a multicultural and multilingual country like India, where diversity is the strength of a rich cultural and linguistic orientation rather than division, the binding force evolves from collective shared values, cultural motifs, and sources of origin. Despite variations, all differences melt into the ethos and spirit of Indianness. Therefore, it spells the charm of one identity: Bhartiya. Indian identity sways over regional identities or multiple identities.

The Sapir-Whorf Linguistic Model (Hypothesis) proposes that language influences the way people think, perceive, and understand the world. It further declares that language determines thought, and therefore, identity. A child's identity is shaped by exploring the world around them, identifying objects, and learning to name them in the language they use. Since language is a culturally determined construct, it shapes identity accordingly. Language and identity are deeply intertwined, with language acting as a fundamental tool for communication. It helps us construct, express, and negotiate our sense of self, background, and belonging to social groups (like ethnicity, gender, or culture) through words, accents, and dialects. It is a dynamic process where our linguistic choices reflect our personal journey and affiliations. It also shapes our worldview and social connections, making language a cornerstone of both individual and collective identity.

Now the question arises: how does the language of education determine a person's identity? It can be understood through the colonial model of education imparted via the English medium. A typical graduate would appear in a suit, bow tie, and hat, which means identity is shaped by an alteration in thought processes regarding how a graduate should look. Undoubtedly, the language of education becomes the habit of communication. The language of education shows how cultural, cognitive, and social behavior patterns can be altered to hybridize cultural identity.

Education is a means for acculturation, identity and personality development; it is also a tool for cultural preservation and training to meet life's challenges. It influences the cultural, cognitive, and social life of a person in a rapidly growing global world. Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal emphasizes a holistic education system based on the Indian knowledge system, developing critical thinking, cognitive development, skill-based education, and collective shared values. Undermining the key functions of language in shaping individual and national identity, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, constituted a high-powered Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti, which is working in colleges and universities with scholars and experts across the country to promote Indian languages. It strives to forge links within the languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India for framing policies for research and promotion, celebrating linguistic diversity as the strength and resilience of the Indian system of education.

The medium of instruction has always been a subject of debate for educationists, psychologists, and policymakers. The New Education Policy 2020 also envisages the Three Language Formula (TLF), promoting national unity by ensuring at least two languages are Indian, with flexibility for states and students, and further ensuring that no language is imposed. This fosters multilingualism, better learning, and cultural preservation. It allows Sanskrit, classical Indian languages, or English as options but prioritizes the child's familiar language for foundational learning. Here, it becomes indispensable to mention that mother tongues are essential for cognitive learning and growth, as they sustain identity amid globalization, save learners' energy and time for fast grasping, and allow quick learning. Research has already shown that a child learns quickly in the mother tongue. It has been observed that a child loses their dialect in urban schools where the medium of instruction is other than their mother tongue.Education in the mother tongue offers significant cognitive, academic, and social benefits, as supported by extensive research.

Children grasp concepts faster and retain knowledge better when taught in a familiar language. Nelson Mandela rightly said , "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." If you know all the languages it also boosts engagement and long-term success in multilingual settings. Mother tongue instruction enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility by aligning learning with children's natural thought processes.

Research confirms it builds a strong foundation for understanding complex ideas and acquiring additional languages. Proficiency in the native language facilitates better expression of emotions and needs, preparing learners for intellectual growth.In addition, students achieve higher academic performance, literacy, and comprehension when starting education in their mother tongue, reducing knowledge gaps in early schooling. Schools report lower repetition rates, fewer dropouts, and overall better outcomes compared to non-native language instruction. This method propels excellence across subjects by fostering confidence and competence.

The social and emotional advantages of learning in the mother tongue increase self-esteem, motivation, and active participation. It encourages parental involvement, as families can support homework and school activities in their home language. This builds emotional intelligence, empathy, and cultural identity, empowering marginalized communities.The mother tongue as the first language of home or identity fosters growth, ingenuity, and rationality. In a globalized world, mother tongue education preserves cultural identity, boosts learning, and counters linguistic imperialism.

In a broader framework, mother tongue education preserves linguistic diversity and cultural heritage while promoting inclusive, equitable learning worldwide. It supports bilingualism, leading to higher socio-economic opportunities like better earnings. UNESCO advocates it as essential for quality education, especially for over 500 million children in non-native language countries. Mother tongue as the medium of instruction creates an educational system where no student is deprived of opportunities due to lack of proficiency in English or any other foreign language. It flows through the veins of children like the nectar of mother's milk. It forms the identity of learners in the soil of their culture and value system.