Assam: Demand for Odia language's recognition gains momentum

A CORRESPONDENT

DHEKIAJULI: In a crucial step towards linguistic and cultural preservation, a high-level discussion on the status of the Odia language in Assam was held today at the Truck Association Hall in Dhekiajuli under Dhekiajuli Co-District. Organized by the Central Committee of the Assam Odia Youth Students' Association with support from the Odia intellectual community, the meeting addressed the pressing issue of Odia language's recognition in Assam's education system.

With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Assam has taken significant steps to introduce mother tongue-based education for several indigenous communities, including Rabha, Karbi, Tiwa, Garo, Mising, Kuki, Dimasa, Santal, Sonowal Kachari, Koch Rajbongshi, Nepali, Bishnupriya, Tai Ahom, and the tea-tribe community. The Assam State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is actively developing curricula to facilitate primary education in these native languages. However, despite Odia being widely spoken across Assam's tea gardens and recognized as a Classical Language by the Indian Government, the community remains excluded from this linguistic empowerment initiative.

Currently, an estimated 40 lakh Odia-speaking individuals reside in Assam, primarily in the tea-growing regions. Yet, their children are unable to receive education in their mother tongue at the foundational level. Addressing this concern, Odia scholars, educators, writers, and community leaders gathered to discuss strategies for securing Odia as a recognized medium of instruction in Assam's pre-primary and primary schools.

The discussion was chaired by Lakhyadhar Tati, President of the Assam Odia Youth Students' Association, with Secretary Pankaj Mohananda outlining the purpose of the gathering. Prominent attendees included Pratibha Das, Vice-President of Odia Sahitya Sabha, noted writer, translator, and life member of Axam Xahitya Xabha, former MLA Bhimananda Tati, Anand Tati, President of the Sonitpur District Adivasi Students' Association, and Dilip Tati, Publicity Secretary of the Sonitpur District Tea Tribe Students' Association, among other esteemed figures.

The meeting concluded with a strong resolution urging the Assam Government to recognize Odia as a medium of instruction in schools catering to tea garden communities. The participants emphasized that linguistic inclusion under NEP 2020 is crucial for preserving Assam's diverse cultural heritage and ensuring educational equality for all linguistic minorities.

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