Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has called for greater efforts to preserve indigenous languages and cultural practices, warning that the loss of language often results in the gradual disappearance of traditional customs and identity.
Chowna Mein made the remarks while leading a district-level development meeting in Namsai on Friday. During the session, officials finalised a district-wide plan to introduce the Tai Khamti language as a third language across both government and private schools, as well as in Buddhist monasteries within the district.
The instruction of Tai Khamti will begin on 16 August this year, covering levels from primary through secondary education. The deputy chief minister has directed the deputy commissioner to ensure full implementation of the policy, including in private educational institutions.
To assist with the rollout, the Tai Khamti Heritage & Literary Society (TKHLS) has been tasked with preparing and distributing primers for young learners. The organisation will also conduct training sessions for teachers, enabling them to deliver lessons in the language effectively.
In addition to language preservation, the meeting addressed environmental concerns. It was decided that the district will observe ‘Nadi Utsav’ on 8 July. As part of this event, fish fingerlings will be released into local rivers and streams, aiming to support aquatic biodiversity and restore ecological balance in freshwater systems.
Also read | Nagaland University opens admissions for 2025–26: See details