Latest news with #Santali
Time of India
9 hours ago
- 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.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM announces Rs 50 crore package to honour Raghunath Murmu
1 2 Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced a Rs 50 crore package for various initiatives commemorating Pandit Raghunath Murmu , the inventor of the Ol Chiki script used by the Santhal community .The announcement came during the centenary celebration of the Ol Chiki script and the 120th birth anniversary of Pandit Murmu at Mahuldiha near Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district. "Pandit Murmu's legacy represents not just an individual but a movement that shaped tribal identity and culture," Majhi said while announcing the comprehensive package. The initiatives include converting Murmu's residence in Dandbose village into a pilgrimage site and developing his memorial as a heritage govt will also establish an Ol Chiki library in Baripada and construct an open theatre-museum dedicated to Pandit Murmu. Also, the CM announced year-long celebrations across the state to mark the Ol Chiki script's centenary, invented in 1925, and plans for an international seminar to promote Santali language."Our govt has integrated Pandit Murmu's name into the state's education and cultural policies. Through the implementation of Santali in primary education, textbook preparation, and teacher training, we are advancing his vision," Majhi dignitaries present included culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj and several MPs and MLAs from the region. Political observers view these initiatives as the govt's strategic outreach to the state's significant tribal population, particularly the Santhal community, which has emerged as a crucial voting bloc in recent years. President Droupadi Murmu, who hails from the Santhal community, belongs to the same its manifesto in the run-up to the 2024 Odisha assembly elections, BJP promised to introduce a library on wheels to make libraries accessible to tribal students. It also promised to create 26 language laboratories in universities, keeping tribal languages in Majhi-led govt launched a new scheme, the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme, to reduce the dropout rate among ST students. Under the scheme, tribal students enrolled in Class IX to XI get a one-time incentive of Rs 5,000.
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Odisha CM announces year-long celebrations to mark centenary of ‘Ol Chiki' script
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced a year-long celebration across the state to mark the 100th year of the invention of the 'Ol Chiki', the script used for writing the Santali language. The Chief Minister announced during his address at a special event held at Mahuldiha village in Rairangpur of Mayurbhanj district on Monday, to commemorate the centenary celebrations of the invention of the Ol Chiki script and the 120th birth anniversary of the inventor of the script, Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu. Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi said: "Pandit Murmu was not just an individual but a movement, a consciousness, and a visionary of art and culture. The 100-year celebration of the Ol Chiki script is not just a tribute to a literary invention of an inventor, but a recognition of the language, culture, and identity of an entire indigenous community." He said that the invention of the 'Ol Chiki' script by Murmu was a new chapter in the development of a culture. Majhi further stated that Pandit Murmu is not just a purveyor of knowledge and education; he has revealed the inner values of this land. He emphasised that language is more than a medium of communication—it represents identity, existence, and expression. Societies that take pride in their language naturally progress. 'Ol Chiki is a symbol of that pride, and it strengthens the community through education, solidarity, and culture,' Majhi said. The Chief Minister reiterated the state's commitment to Santali language development through initiatives in primary education, textbook preparation, teacher training, and linguistic research. He noted that Odisha has integrated Pandit Murmu's name into its educational and cultural policies. 'The path shown by Pandit Murmu remains radiant for the Santali society. I wish future generations to continue to uphold his values, knowledge, and love for culture,' the Chief Minister added, calling for mutual respect and harmony across languages, faiths, and cultures. The Chief Minister also announced on this occasion that an international seminar will be organised to promote and propagate the Santali language. He informed in his speech that the 'Ol Chiki' library will be established in Baripada to make all the books written by Pandit Murmu accessible to the public. He further announced the construction of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Open Theatre-Museum, and a heritage building at his workplace to honour Murmu. Majhi also informed that Pandit Murmu's ancestral residence at Dandbose will be developed as a Memorial Pilgrimage Site. The Chief Minister announced a special package of Rs 50 crore for the above purpose.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'The Big Book of Odia Literature' book review
Offering a kaleidoscope of writing from the 15th century to the present, this book is a wonderful window into the concerns, thought, culture and philosophy that details Odia literary writing. The book is divided into many sections: Poetry, which is again sub divided into poems from different languages of the region including Santali, Sanskrit and Odia of course, and Plays, Short Stories, and Essays. Of course the book features a plethora of writers and the translators who have made their work accessible for us in English. As Editor, Dash has been clever in his selection, picking writings of different flavours, and subjects that engage people at different levels. One imagines a lot of vernacular literature to stem from angst that cannot be articulated except in writing. But here is a platter of delights that range from the sombre to the funny, from the descriptive and poetic to sharply satirical. The very first offering in the book, which begins with poetry is a deft translation by Dash himself of the 15th century poet, Sarla Dasa's Bhisma's counsel to Yudhisthira. ( Though sadly the title reads Bhima instead of Bhishma ). Much of the advice giving in pithy sentences of free verse, could hold good for those who rule countries and industry houses today.
