By our correspondent
Agartala, January 19, 2019: The State Government is keen to nurture and develop Kokborok – the language of tribal people of Tripura – along with other languages, said Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb today in Agartala. Deb also mentioned that State Cabinet had given its nod for inclusion of Kokborok language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. He was speaking at a programme held as part of 41st Kokborok Day today. Chief Minister flagged off a colourful rally depicting traditional art and culture of various tribal communities of the State. Dressed in traditional attire, tribal youths attracted attention and people assembled along the roadside to encourage the participants.
In his inaugural speech, the Cgief Minister said, “BJP-IPFT Government is working on plans for development of the language and Tribal Welfare Department has initiated several actions to this end.”
In the state, 23 percent of total population speaks in Kokborok language, steps have taken to develop mother tongue of other tribal communities in the state. The State Cabinet also passed a resolution to include Kokborok language in 8th Schedule of the constitution and the decision was sent to the Union Ministry, Deb asserted.
Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Ratan Nath said two awards would be instituted in honour of late Radhamohan Thakur and late Manindralal Tripura from this year on for excellent literary works in Kokborok language. He also said, a Tribal Research Institute will be set up at Lembuchhera near Agartala for the sake of development of the language.
Revenue Minister NC Debbarma and Tribal Welfare Minister Mebar Kumar Jamatia also spoke on the occasion and discussed about ways to uplift the language through literary works.
