In an attempt to preserve and popularize the language of the Janajati people of Tripura, Kokborok, Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath launched an online Kokborok Language Training programme for Government employees at Shiksha Bhawan in Agartala on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, Ratanlal Nath said the state government has taken an initiative to introduce a Minor Research Programme for the development of languages of various minority communities.
“Apart from Kokborok, the state government has also taken steps for the development of seven other languages- Kuki, Garo, Mizo, Halam, Chakma, Bishnupriya and Manipuri. A plan is already in the pipeline to introduce a Minor Research Programme for this purpose,” he said.
The online Kokborok speaking course has been launched for the non-Kokborok speaking Group- A, B and C employees. He also detailed the initiatives taken for the development of Kokborok language.
“The state government has already introduced Kokborok as a subject in 116 schools from primary to higher secondary level. Recently, a decision has been taken in the cabinet meeting for the recruitment of 22 Assistant Professors (Kokborok). The TPSC has already started the recruitment process.
Besides, an initiative has been taken for recruitment of 22 Kokborok PGT teachers,” Nath said.
A government press release said, “In the first batch, total 100 employees including IAS and TCS officers from eight districts will be imparted training on Kokborok language”.
Nath said, the department would next take into consideration for introducing such a course for the common people.
In the current session, classes will take place every second Saturday, fourth Saturday and every Sunday of the month. The training programme will end in 3 months and 2 weeks for the first slab.
MLA Dr. Atul Debbarma, who is also the chairman of the advisory committee for the development of Kokborok language, Director of Kokborok and other Minority Languages- Nagendra Debbarma, Deputy Director Sabyasachi Singh and many others were present in the programme.