Proper mechanism & commitment needed to implement Boro as associate official language

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The Bodo people of both BTC and outside, on October 7 celebrated the State cabinet's decision to create Boro Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council (BKWAC) and implement Boro language as associate official language of the State, by bursting fire crackers.

The United Bodo People's Organization (UBPO), All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and other organizations, including Rajya Sabha MP, celebrated the declaration of the State cabinet and thanked Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and State Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for their bold steps. The Dularai Boro Harimu Afat (DBHA) also hailed the decision of the Government of Assam.

Meanwhile, former Rajya Sabha MP and former president of the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), Urkhao Gwra Brahma said that without proper mechanism in government machineries, the implementation of Boro as an associate official language throughout the Assam would not be practical.

"Since 1985, Boro is an associate official language in Kokrajhar district and Udalguri subdivision but nowhere in government offices it was implemented properly aThe Bodo people of both BTC and outside, on October 7 celebrated the State cabinet's decision to create Boro Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council (BKWAC) and implement Boro language as associate official language of the State, by bursting fire crackerd we are also responsible for that," he said, adding that except in official signboards and some public announcements, no correspondence or communication could be done as Bodo people were not willing to use their own language in offices.

Brahma said, "It is the common responsibility of both the government and Bodo people if we really want to implement that policy. Officers posted in Bodo-dominated areas have to be trained in Bodo language as others are trained in Assamese. However, we all will have to learn to respect other languages also. English is our need, Hindi is our national language and Assamese is the State language of Assam. Bringing our language into official use is not as easy as we think. For that, proper mechanism and our commitment is important," he said.

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