ब'र थुनलाइ थांनानै थाथों । BSS LONG LIVE(BODO SAHITYA SABHA)

Unity and integrity top priority: Bodo Sahitya Sabha fights for the preservation of Bodo: Bodo Sahitya Sabha president.
BODO SAHITYA SABHA, established in 1952 with Joybhadra Hagjer as the first president and Sonaram Thaosen as the first general secretary is celebrating its 57th annual conference at Mushalpur (Baksa district) from 4th February with a three-day programme. Over the years, it has passed through many ordeals and trials, yet it has been a catalyst to enormous achievements in the sphere of education, culture and social-cum-ethnic unity. The new president of the Sabha Taren Boro, an established writer in Bodo, Assamese and English, and a well-known social worker, feels that they have still to go a long way. In a short conversation he emphasised the need for ethnic unity and fraternity in the coming days. Excerpts from the interview.Question: The Bodo Sahitya Sabha has completed 66 years of its existence. During this period, through its endeavour, Bodo language and literature has gone to such a high stature that it is now taught even in the post-graduate classes of the universities. The Bodo language has been recognised in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution thereby opening vistas for the Sahitya Akademi awards for the distinguished Bodo litterateurs too. Under these circumstances, do you not think that the role of the Sabha has now become negligible?
Answer: As you know, Bodo language has been introduced as a medium of instruction since 1963 at the primary level. It is now taught up to university level after a long struggle by the Sabha and other allied Bodo organisations. The Bodo language is also recognised in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution simultaneously with the BTC Accord in 2003. Now this language has become an official language in BTAD and Assam and even in Central Government offices. Still we have a lot of work to do for the uplift of the language and make it a link language amongst cross- sections of the Indian linguistic communities. The Sabha is always in close touch with schemes and projects offered by the HRD Ministry and other literary forums like CSTT, CIIL, Hindi Directorate, Sahitya Akademi, National Translation Mission (NTM), National Book Trust (NBT) apart from regional agencies. We are yet to complete the multilingual dictionary project by ABILAC. We are also planning to translate reputed books from other Indian languages like Assamese, Bengali, Odiya, Bhojpuri, Marathi and Tamil besides upgrading grammar and other textbooks. In order to develop the language, we have organised seminars, workshops etc. In fact, works on language development has been an ever continuing process.
Question: While Bodo language has flourished, other sister languages such as Rabha, Tiwa, Mising, Karbi, Deuri etc., are languishing. Even at the primary school level, imparting of education in these languages has not quite been possible. What do you think about them?
Answer: As a premier organisation, the Sabha is keeping a close contact with the indigenous linguistic minorities like the Tiwas, Rabhas, Garos, Misings, Dimasas, Tripuris, Hajongs and the Karbis. We have already formed a forum called ‘Indigenous Tribal Sahitya Sabha’ comprising eight Sahitya Sabhas to look after the development of these languages. We have demanded to introduce these languages also as mediums of instruction so that the children of these communities can read in their mother tongues. The forum has already discussed with the Sabha and the State Education Department for quick implementation of the language policy– the main motto of which is to impart education through mother tongue. The Sabha has pressed upon the Education Department to create a separate directorate for development of Bodo and other tribal languages too. It is understood that the State Government is planning to set up a separate Education Cell, under an additional director for these languages.
Question: At a time Assamese was the lingua franca of undivided Assam or today’s NE. But today the youngsters of the tribal groups including the Bodos have almost abandoned Assamese. Has it not created difficulties particularly in cultural and social spheres?
Answer: No, it is not true. As the Bodo speaking people are the indigenous citizens of Assam, they have to know the regional language Assamese as the link language. Our people in the remote villages speak Assamese in broken pronunciation. Of course, those who are studying in Bodo medium are not much fluent in Assamese. Even in interviews for jobs, Bodo youths speak Assamese as it is compulsory being a regional language. The Sabha has been requesting the State Government to implement the language policy as required so that anomalies can be removed and misunderstandings can be resolved.
Question: What are your plans for the development of the greater Assamese social and cultural world?
Answer: Under my leadership, unity and integrity of Assam is the top priority. We must work together for the greater interest of the human being without personal benefits, without disturbing others. We always like to appeal to all sections of the people to maintain peace and harmony for the all-round development of the State. ‘Give-and-take’, ‘Live-and-let live’ are our mottos. In order to build a greater Assamese society, we must honour the sentiments of each other and thus develop the language and culture of each others. There must be respect for each other. The Assamese people should do self-criticism. Or else misunderstanding would grow and continue. Strict vigilance against the divisive forces is the need of the hour. This is the duty of all sections of the people

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