Tamulpur: Constitutional recognition of tribal languages from the Northeastern region will integrate the region’s people with stronger nationalist sentiment, said Meghalaya Chief Minister Conard K Sangma at the 61st session of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) at Tamulpur, western Assam, in presence of President of India Ramnath Kovind.
Explaining the similarities between phonetics of Garo and Bodo languages Sangma pressed for recognition of Khasi and Garo languages in the Constitution of India under the eighth schedule.
Sangma also expressed gratitude to the President for addressing a community literary organisation’s conference in the Northeast. “(The) presence of the President of India in Bodo Sahitya Sabha sends out a strong message that India not only respects its communities and tribes across the nation but also is committed to preservation, protection and promotion,” CM Sangma added.
Talking to this correspondent, CM Sangma said, “In terms of preservation of languages of tribes & communities, Meghalaya too is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the inclusion of Khasi & Garo in the Eighth Schedule. We hope the presence of the Hon’ble President of India will fructify our efforts. Language is our identity to a tribe & a community & plays a great role in national integration.”
He appreciated the efforts of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha in the preservation of their language & culture & in organising such programs to highlight the importance of the Bodo language.
Several communities and tribes of the Northeastern region have launched movements for promotion and preservation of their languages for decades. The National Education Policy will surely add value to this movement. Limbu, Khasi, Karbi, Mizo(Lushai), Kamatapuri, Kokborok and Lepcha are the Northeastern languages whose demands for scheduling under the 8th schedule are listed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
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