President emphasizes on promotion of Bodo language, literature and culture
Guwahati: President Ram Nath Kovind, while gracing the 61st annual conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha at Tamulpur in western Assam on Wednesday stated that the conservation and promotion of local languages is the responsibility of the society and also the government.
Commenting on the atmosphere of harmony and peace in northeast India which is becoming stronger with the joint efforts of Union government and State governments, the President appreciated both the Centre and NE State governments along with the residents for their immense contributions. He noted that developmental works have an important role in this change.
President Kovind added that the month of May is very important for the Bodo people as they remember Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma on 1 May on the great son’s death anniversary. Bodofa spread the message of live & let live and his initiative in maintaining harmony with all
communities conscious of Bodo self-pride will be forever relevant, he added.
Lauding the local Sahitya Sabha for making invaluable contributions in strengthening the Bodo language, literature and culture, the President added that the founder BSS president Joy Bhadra Hagzer and general secretary Sonaram Thosen had made commendable efforts in recognition of Bodo language. The literary forum has also played an important role in the use of Bodo language as the medium of school education and place in higher education.
Till date, 17 writers have been honoured with Sahitya Akademi awards for their literary works in Bodo language, where 10 have been awarded for poetry work. It shows the natural inclination towards poetry among Bodo writers, said the President, adding that many women are now
writing in different genres of Bodo literature. Two women writers have already been awarded with Sahitya Akademi award for their original works. Literary works of other languages are also being translated into Bodo language with great enthusiasm, which is the characteristic of any vibrant literary community. President Kovind expressed confidence that such translated literature would give an opportunity to the readers of Bodo language to get acquainted with other Indian languages as well as world literature.
Assam Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi said that Bodo language is an ancient and sweet language and its literature is very rich. It was included in the Eighth schedule of the Constitution in 2004. Literature is the reflection of society and has an important place in human life. Many litterateurs believe that human life is incomplete without literature as the society gets knowledge from it. Hence there is a relationship of interdependence between language and literature, he added.
“Without knowledge and study of mother tongue everything is meaningless. Mother tongue enables every Indian to connect with India and understand the world,” commented Governor Mukhi, in his speech at the conference, which was also graced by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the First lady Savita Kovind, Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, State legislative assembly speaker Biswajit Daimari, BTR chief Pramod Boro, BSS president Toren Boro along with a host of dignitaries.
