Latest news with #OlChiki
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
President Murmu inspires me to work for poor, tribals and dalits of the state: CM Mohan Charan Manjhi
Her Excellency President Droupadi Murmu has arrived in Odisha. As I greet her on behalf of 4.5 crore Odias, my heart overflows with joy and pride, not just as a citizen, but as a younger brother welcoming his beloved elder sister. President Droupadi Murmu's identity is truly unique among her predecessors. I vividly remember the jubilant atmosphere that swept the country when her name was announced as the Presidential nominee. From the Himalayas to Kumarika, people from tribal and dalit communities, the poor and hardworking citizens poured into the streets to celebrate. It was a spontaneous outpouring of joy, a moment so unprecedented that no similar celebration has ever followed the announcement of a Presidential candidate in the past. And perhaps, such a moment may never come again. As the first tribal woman to occupy the highest Constitutional post in the country, her election marked not only a historic moment for Odisha, but a moment of celebration for the entire nation, especially for the tribal communities, women, the underprivileged, and the marginalized. Droupadi Murmu Ji's family background and social life had fascinated the people across India. Marking an incredible journey from Rairangpur to Raisina Hills, she proves that a person, who is at the bottom of the social and economic system, can rise to occupy the highest constitutional office of the country. This is the strength of India's democracy. Obliviously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a key role in the selection of Droupadi Murmu as the Presidential candidate. 'Purvodaya' is Modi Ji's vision. His plan was to ensure that eastern part of the country, lagging behind in terms of development compared to the western and southern regions, prosper economically. He was clear that a developed India is not possible without the development of the poor and women of the country. It can be said without a doubt that by nominating Droupadi Murmu Ji from Odisha as the Presidential candidate, Modi Ji succeeded in creating a suitable atmosphere to successfully achieve his priorities of development and prosperity across the country. In 2000, when I was elected as an MLA, Droupadi Murmu Ji was serving as a minister in the Odisha government. She was able to accomplish her mission with diligence and hard work. During the aggressive stance of the Opposition in the Assembly, she always had the ability to silence them by giving calm, simple, polite yet firm and lo gical answers. As a young legislator, especially as a member of the government alliance, there was little opportunity to speak but Droupadi Murmu Ji used to guide us to raise the problems of the poor, women, tribals, dalits, farmers and youth of our region and state. The Santhali tribe, to which Her Excellency belongs, has a glorious tradition. Pandit Raghunath Murmu of Santhali community invented the Ol Chiki script. The memories of her distributing sweets out of happiness and joy when Santhali language was included in the Eighth Schedule of Constitution during the Prime Ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003, is still fresh in my mind. However, this great daughter of Odisha, a role model for women and the poor, is often insulted and humiliated for political vendetta. Today, when she arrived in Odisha, I felt very happy as a tribal. I have experienced poverty and also managed to withstand it. Her Excellency is an inspiration for me to work more diligently and systematically for the tribals and the poor of the state. Jai Jagannath!
India Today
12-07-2025
- General
- India Today
Tribal homemaker builds free school for village children in remote Purulia
Far from urban streets and far from official schemes, a tribal woman in Purulia is running a free school out of a tin-roofed mud hut, reaching children who would otherwise be left out of formal Jiling Sereng, a remote village in West Bengal's Ayodhya Hills, 30-year-old Malati Murmu has taken charge where the system could is not a government-appointed teacher. Her school has no blackboards, no staff, and no funds. But every morning, 45 children arrive to learn how to read and write in Santhali, using the Ol Chiki script.'When I came here after marriage, I saw no real schooling,' says Malati. 'So I began with a few children at home.'advertisementA TRIBAL WOMAN 'S MUD-HUT SCHOOL FILLS A GAP LEFT BY STATE While the government struggles to maintain schools in many parts of West Bengal, this small setup in Jiling Sereng has become important for its community. It was never planned by any authority. It grew from local need and one woman's effort. Her effort began with a few children in her home. In 2020, villagers helped her build two small classrooms. Today, she teaches 45 students up to Class children here are from tribal families who had never attended school. 'Now they read and write in their language. That's new for us,' said Sunita Mandi, a local resident. Malati's husband, Banka Murmu, helps manage the school.'There's a government school nearby,' he said, 'but we wanted something of our own.'Malati handles the school while raising two children and managing her home. 'We don't ask for anything,' she said. 'Only that the children come.'As West Bengal's education system faces criticism and lacks the basic infrastructure, this village school and the lady who runs it shows that even with no money or support, learning can still happen if someone steps the fact that she belongs to a tribal community and has limited access to resources, she decided to bring in the appointments. No tenders. Just a classroom born out of need.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
08-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Grassroots push to save Santali script in Jajpur
1 2 Kendrapada: In the tribal-dominated villages of Sukinda block in Jajpur district, around 40 members of the Santhal community have joined hands to revive and preserve Ol Chiki—the century-old script of the Santali language—by voluntarily teaching it to children and youths. Invented in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu, Ol Chiki consists of 30 letters and was developed specifically to write Santali, one of India's major tribal languages. "Due to the migration of many tribal families, many children are unaware of the script. That's why we began teaching it," said Pitabas Hemrum, president of the district unit of the Adivasi Socio Education and Culture Association (ASECA). To popularise the script, ASECA's Jajpur branch, in collaboration with the Board of Santali Education (Rairangpur), recently conducted a three-day Ol Chiki examination at the Ol Chiki Lipi Sikhyakendra in Balipada village. Held from Friday to Sunday, the event saw participation from 120 tribal students across primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels. ASECA currently runs 15 Ol Chiki Lipi Sikhyakendras across Jajpur district. Classes are held thrice a week—Friday to Sunday—from 7 to 9 am. None of the 15 teachers receives remuneration; in some villages, locals provide them with food. "Community centres and village clubs serve as makeshift classrooms," said Manmohan Marandi, a teacher from Balipada. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Что говорит о вашем характере поза, в которой вы спите! Удивительные Новости Undo While chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi had announced plans in Dec 2024 to introduce Santali from the elementary to postgraduate levels and a Rs 50 crore package for Santhal cultural institutions in March 2025, no steps have been taken to appoint Ol Chiki teachers in Jajpur's tribal schools. Jajpur's district welfare officer Sarat Behera said, "Tribal communities are availing several government schemes. Currently, there is no plan to recruit Ol Chiki teachers in the district. "
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Birthplace of Pandit Murmu will become a pilgrimage site: CM Mohan Charan Majhi
BHUBANESWAR/BARIPADA: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced that the birthplace of Pandit Raghunath Murmu at Dandbose in Mayurbhanj district will be developed as a pilgrimage site. Addressing a function on the 120th birth anniversary of Pandit Murmu at Mahuldiha in Mayurbhanj district, the chief minister said the burial place of the great Santali poet will also be developed as a heritage memorial. The chief minister also announced that there will be a year-long statewide celebration of centenary of the Ol Chiki script developed by Pandit Murmu. An international seminar will also be organised in the capital city of Bhubaneswar for promoting Santali language. The chief minister announced a package of Rs 50 crore for promotion of the Santali language along with establishment of an Ol Chiki library at Baripada. Concerted efforts will be made to popularise all the works of Pandit Murmu, and Heritage Bhavan will be constructed in his name. Describing Pandit Murmu as a cultural icon and a movement in himself, the chief minister said the Ol Chiki script is a symbol of pride for the Santali tribe. 'The Ol Chiki script has revolutionised Santali identity. Language is not just a tool for communication. It fostering education and unity, ' the CM said.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Raghunath Murmu's residence will be made a memorial: CM
Baripada: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced a special package of Rs 50 crore to set up cultural institutions dedicated to Santhal tribe, develop Ol Chiki script and preserve memorials related to Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu in Mayurbhanj district. Majhi announced this during a function marking the centenary celebration of the invention of Ol Chiki script for Santhali language and the 120th birth anniversary of Pandit Raghunath Murmu. The function was held at Mahuldiha in Mayurbhanj district. Pandit Murmu invented the Ol Chiki script in 1925, which consists of 30 letters and is used to write and promote Santhali literature and culture. Majhi said Pandit Murmu's residence and Samadhi Peeth would be developed into memorials, and the State government would commemorate the Ol Chiki centenary throughout the year. The package will also be used to set up of an Ol Chiki library in Baripada, Pandit Raghunath Murmu open theatre-museum and a heritage building at Murmu's workplace. Majhi said an international seminar would be organised in Delhi to promote Santhali language on a global platform, which is likely to be attended by President Droupadi Murmu. While lauding Pandit Murmu's contributions to tribal culture, language and literature, Majhi said, 'Pandit Murmu's life was not just that of an individual—he was a movement, a consciousness, a craft and a culture of knowledge.' The State government is committed to preserving, promoting and expanding the Ol Chiki script, created by Pandit Murmu a century ago, he added. 'Murmu's invention was not just merely a change in vocabulary, but a new chapter in the evolution of culture,' the Chief Minister said. Majhi further said the State government would advance this legacy by setting up Santhali language institutions in primary education, produce textbooks, train teachers and create language development centres. The Chief Minister said Pandit Murmu was not only a promoter of knowledge and education, but also a personality who revealed the inner values of this land. 'Our government has organised various programmes in the name of Pandit Raghunath Murmu,' he said The Chief Minister also felicitated Santhali language researcher Chunda Soren with the Guru Gomke International Award carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. A souvenir on Pandit Murmu's life was unveiled, and his descendant Chuniyan Murmu and Padma Shri recipient Damayanti Beshra were also honoured. Odisha ministers Suryabanshi Suraj, Krushna Chandra Mahapatra and Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia lauded Pandit Murmu's legacy.
