Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the State government is considering providing education in the Santali language from kindergarten to post-graduation.
Inaugurating the 7th annual conference of the All India Santali Writers’ Association-Odisha branch at Ashok Batika in Keonjhar, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of the Ol-Chiki script, created in 1925, and paid tribute to its creator, Pandit Raghunath Murmu. He called for the success of “Mission Ol-Chiki 2025” and emphasized the need for education in the Ol-Chiki script and the Santali language.
Majhi advised Santali writers to work towards disseminating the language, culture, and traditions of the nation through their writings. He encouraged them to translate famous books into Santali and educational books from Santali into other languages.
Majhi expressed hope that the tribal community will play a significant role in the development of Odisha and India. He honoured several individuals for their contributions to Santali literature, including Suresh Kumar Hembram, Durga Soren, and Laxman Marndi.
Notably, the Santali language was included in the eighth schedule of the Constitution of India in 2003, thanks to the efforts of the then Central Government and the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Chief Minister Majhi advised writers to translate famous books into Santali and educational books from Santali into other languages. He emphasized that creating translated literature should be a priority for writers to disseminate the language widely.
The Chief Minister stated that tribal society can make a significant contribution to “Developed Odisha 2036.” He expressed hope that the tribal community will play a crucial role in shaping a developed Odisha and India.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister released the literary magazine and souvenir of the association. Suresh Kumar Hembram received the Shyam Sundar Hembram Award 2024 for his book “Sonali Gharanj.” Durga Soren was awarded the same for her short story “Uni Kulid Akay?”
The Chief Minister honoured Arsu Hansadah with the Yadumani Beshra Samman for her poetry book “Arasi” and Laxman Marndi for his lifelong contribution to literature. Majhi also recognized Bhagwat Hembram, Gobinda Hansada, Mohan Soren, Madhusudan Murmu, and Jyotilal Hembram for promoting Santali writers.
The Chief Minister honoured Ramjit Tudu and YouTuber Laba Hansada for promoting the Santali script-type board, which was appreciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mann Ki Baat.
Prominent speakers at the event included Sarashakana MLA Bhadab Hansdah, Baripada MLA Prakash Soren, former coordinator of Santali Sahitya Academy Madan Mohan Soren, and Padma Damayanti Beshra.
