Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Saturday assured a Santali language expert committee that the Odisha government would take appropriate steps for the promotion and preservation of Santali language and literature, including measures related to education.
Members of the Santali language expert committee and coordinators of various Santali organisations met Majhi at his official residence and discussed a range of issues concerning the development of the language.
The delegation submitted a memorandum seeking recognition of Santali as a minority language through the Ol Chiki script and educational facilities for students learning the language. The representatives also urged the government to introduce Santali under the three-language formula of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 from Classes I to X and at the higher secondary level as a Modern Indian Language (MIL) and elective subject.
Other demands included recruitment of Santali language teachers and provision of separate seats for BEd courses at teacher education colleges in Baripada, Baleshwar and Anandapur. Majhi heard the demands and assured the delegation that the government was committed to preserving tribal languages and literature.
He said the government would soon take appropriate and positive steps based on the recommendations of the expert committee and keeping in view the overall development of the Santali community. Referring to President Droupadi Murmu, Majhi said her occupying the highest constitutional office of the country was a matter of pride for the Santali community as well as the nation.
He said her presence at the highest level had further enhanced the visibility and recognition of Santali language, culture and tribal identity at the national and global levels.