CM Dr Manik Saha inaugurates state level observance of International Mother Language Day

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday inaugurated the state level observance of International Mother Language Day here in a function at Agartala and said that the government is working to promote amultilingual education system, moving in line with the central government.

Addressing the gathering in a function here at Agartala Town Hall organized jointly by the Department of School Education and the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office, Dr Saha said, “After the present government came to power in the state, an advisory committee has been formed at the state level for the development of the mother tongue of 8 ethnic groups. The government is working on the development of tribal languages.”

“Government has introduced Kokborok language in the TET examination. Besides, Tripura Judicial Service has also arranged examinations in Kokborok language. The state government is determined to develop and give status to other languages including Kokborok,” Dr Saha said.

He said that Kokborok, one of the major languages in the northeastern state, has been introduced in 1,296 primary schools, 115 Madhyamik (secondary) schools and 65 higher secondary schools. The Chakma language has also been introduced in 123 schools, and besides, the students can also study in several other languages like Halam, Kuki, Mizo, Manipuri and Garo at the school level. In Tripura, education in Kokborok and Mizo languages is available in schools up to the 12th standard, he added.

Meanwhile, the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh at Agartala Arif Mohammad said that by celebrating International Mother Language Day, people all over the world can understand the importance of their mother tongue. They can also undertake the restoration of lost languages.

Special Secretary of education department Raval Hemendra Kumar accompanied by the Director of the Higher Education N C Sharma and Director of Information and Culture Department Bimbisar Bhattacharya among others were present in the programme.