Agartala: The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) and the Linguistic Data Consortium for Indian Languages (LDC-IL) have completed the digital documentation of Tripura’s tribal languages, including Kokborok, the most widely spoken language among the state’s tribal communities.
These initiatives fall under the Digital India programme, which aims to digitally archive, document, and promote India’s linguistic diversity, with a special focus on endangered tribal languages. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uikey shared this information in a written reply to questions raised by East Tripura Lok Sabha MP Kriti Devi Singh in Parliament.
According to a press statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Bharatavani Project, launched by CIIL, has developed a comprehensive knowledge repository covering 121 Indian languages, including 22 Scheduled and 99 Non-Scheduled languages.
Accessible through a web portal and a mobile application, the repository brings together texts, audio, video, and educational resources in one place.
In Tripura, Kokborok, Halam, Mog, and Chakma—languages with rich literary traditions—have been given prominent representation on the platform, ensuring that the state’s linguistic heritage is digitally preserved and promoted for future generations.
Complementing this initiative, LDC-IL has developed the Mother Tongue Parallel Text Corpus of India – Volume I, a collection comprising English and 147 Indian mother tongues. This compilation contains 5,332 sentences systematically structured across 152 grammatical categories, offering a detailed insight into India’s linguistic diversity.
Tripura’s contribution to this corpus is noteworthy, with Kokborok documented at 27,063 words, Reang at 36,123 words, Paite at 32,627 words, and Kuki at 32,695 words. Although Paite and Kuki are predominantly spoken in Manipur, both languages maintain a strong presence in Tripura.
The statement highlighted that these initiatives will not only safeguard the state’s tribal languages but also create a robust foundation for future linguistic research, digital education, and curriculum development. By integrating Tripura’s languages into national digital archives, the projects are expected to strengthen cultural identity, encourage younger generations to embrace their mother tongues, and showcase the state’s linguistic wealth on a global platform.
The detailed written reply also outlined efforts by Tripura’s Tribal Research and Cultural Institute, which has been actively promoting tribal languages and heritage through publishing books and journals, organising seminars in collaboration with Tripura University, and producing audio-visual documentation of folk music and tribal traditions.
In addition, financial allocations of ₹5 lakh in 2021–22 and ₹8 lakh in 2024–25 were made for tribal language preservation efforts in Tripura. These funds were utilised for publications, documentation projects, and seminars or workshops aimed at cultural promotion.
The statement also mentioned that documentation efforts are underway for other tribal languages spoken by the Darlong, Ronglong, and Uchoi communities, further expanding the scope of linguistic preservation in the state.
Also Read: A Himalayan warning: As hundreds die, IMI calls for mountain-centric development
Trending Stories
- Project inspections stepped up across North East, govt tells Rajya Sabha
- Govt outlines investment push and MSME support in North Eastern Region
- Government outlines steps to improve Doordarshan and Akashvani
- JNIMS marks 18 years of service in Manipur
- PM Narendra Modi likely to visit Assam on Dec 20–21
- Assam study shows fortified tea can reverse vitamin deficiencies
