Status and Challenges Regarding Issues of Linguistic Minorities in Tripura

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STATUS AND CHALLENGES REGARDING ISSUES OF LINGUISTIC MINORITIES IN TRIPURA

INTRODUCTION:-

Tripura is a small state in the North-East part of India. The State shares borders with Bangladesh and the immediate neighboring states of Assam and Mizoram. Formerly Tripura was a princely State. In 1949 Tripura merged with the Indian Union and ceased to be a princely State. Tripura became a full-fledged Indian State on January 21, 1972.

In Tripura there are 19 different tribes. They are:- 1. Tripuri , 2. Jamatia, 3. Reang, 4. Uchai, 5.Chakma, 6. Mog, 7. Lusai, 8. Koki 9. Halam, 10. Garo, 11. Noatia, 12. Munda, 13. Orang, 14. Bhil, 15. Santal, 16. Khasia, 17. Chaimal, 18. Lepcha, 19. Bhutia,

Today the 19 tribes together with a large non-tribal Bengali segment form the population of the state. Tribal population of Tripura is shown in Annexure-I.

The tribes in Tripura comprise 31% of the population of the state. Among the 19 tribes living in the state, the Tripuris comprise more than half and each ethnic community enjoys its own individual cultural strengths. The standard dialect of the tribes such as Tripuri, Jamatia, Reang, Uchai, Noatia is Kok Borok language, which is a Tebeto-Burman language.

DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF KOKBOROK AND OTHER MINORITY LANGUAGES:-

Language is the main vehicle of communication. It is a fundamental factor in the interplay between culture and the educational process. Literacy in the mother-tongue is desirable for many reasons at the lower levels of schooling. Keeping this in view as well as with the aim in developing and promoting Kok-borok and other minority languages, State Government had recognized Kokborok as State Language on 19th January 1979 and established Directorate for Kokborok and other minority languages. The Directorate of Kokborok and other minority Languages started functioning from 2012. Kokborok and other minority languages were introduced in schools to provide the basis for initial learning and also to address the sustainable development of languages of vast number of tribes.

For providing necessary suggestions/advice for development and promotion of major tribal languages, 7(seven) ADVISORY COMMITTEES are in place for each of the languages like Kokborok, Chakma, Mog, Halam , Kuki-Mizo and Manipuri, Bishnupriya Manipui which are non-tribal minority languages. The state Government of Tripura has notified the 7(seven) minority languages for introduction as a subject at the primary level. Number of schools where Kokborok and other minority languages are being taught at primary level is shown in the table below:-

Sl. No. Language No. of schools Stage 1. KOKBOROK 903 under TTAADC From classes I-V 2. HALAM 90 -do- 3. CHAKMA 61 -do- 4. MOG 37 -do- 5. KUKI-MIZO 17 -do- 6. MANIPURI 22 -do- BISHNUPRIYA 7. 36 -do- MANIPURI

Source: Directorate of Kokborok & other Minority Languages

*It is worthwhile to mention that Kokborok language is also taught from secondary to University Level. Students of 40 High & Higher Secondary Schools can take Kokborok as elective subject from classes VI to XII. There is a Kokborok course in 18 Degree Colleges of Tripura. Students can obtain MA, PG Diploma and Certificate Course in Kokborok from Tripura University.

The Kokborok Text Books for classes IX to XII are published by the Directorate of Kokborok and other Minority Languages. SCERT published Kokborok Text Books prepared by Directorate of KOKBOROK and other Minority Languages for classes I to VIII. For College level Kokborok teaching, the Directorate extends assistance to the Higher Education Directorate. List of Kokborok Text Books for classes from I to XII has been given in Annexure-II and other minority languages in Annexure – III.

The major activities done by the Directorate for Kokborok language development and promotion are the following:-

1. Kokborok “Dialectal Thesaurus” has been prepared and published in 2014. 2. Kokborok Text Books for classes IX to XII for the academic year 2015-16 have been printed & published. 3. A Half Yearly Kokborok Literary Magazine “KHUMPUI” and IMANGNI KHUMBAR” is being published. 4. A 10-day Orientation Programme on Kokborok teaching in schools for graduate and post graduate teachers was organized from 22-31 July, 2014. 5. Kokborok Literary Festival is organized twice in every year. 6. Curriculum developed on Kokborok language subject for classes I to VIII. 7. Observance of “Kokborok Day on 19th January of every year is organized.

The following are the activities done for development & promotion of Other Minority Languages:-

1. Minority Languages- Chakma, Halam, Mog, Kuki-Mizo, Manipuri and Bishnupriya Manipuri - are recognized by the State Government and introduced as subject language at Primary Stage in classes from I to V. 2. Organization of 2-day workshop on Halam Language in 2014. 3. Conduct of Workshop-cum-Collection of Halam Folk Tales, Folklore etc. 4. Holding of 5-Day Workshop on Mog Language Script. 5. Completion of Text Book preparation on Chakma language for class IV, Kuki-Mizo for classes I to V, Mog for class III and Halam for class III for the academic session-2016. 6. A Half Yearly Literary Magazine namely “SADARAK”(Chakma), “CHINKHEL”(Bishnupriya Manipuri), “CHOOMTHANG”(Manipuri), “PARSEN”(Halam), “RENGZO”(Kuki-Mizo) & “SANGRAING”(Mog) is being published.

Apart from the said activities, Tribal Research & Cultural Institute under Tribal Welfare Department, Govt. of Tripura is making publication of books on tribal life, culture and languages especially on North East tribes in Kokborok, English and Bengali languages.

It is also worth noting that as many as 20 Kokborok feature and other types of films have been made during the recent past. These are:- Langmani Haduk, Mathia, Yarwng, Khumpui, Lama Duari, Chamri Ompa, Kuchuk Hasikam, Longtorai, Rang Gola, Swkal, Bukhuknwi, Khelang Bubar, Khuchuk Kherengbar, Sarindani Suari, Chethuang, Mari, Ang Saboni, Simalwngni Hoki, Butua Choringm, and Buini Hambara Baithang Dogra.

Major Initiatives for development and promotion of minority languages for the year 2015-16.

A. For Kokborok Language:- 1. Preparation of Tri-lingual Dictionary – Kokborok-English-Bengali, 2. Organization of Seminar/Workshop on Kokborok Development, 3. Orientation Programme on Kokborok teaching for Graduate & Post-graduate Teachers, 4. Conduct of Workshop on Kokborok Terminology and Vocabulary, 5. Competition among the college students on story writing, essay writing etc and other creative activities, 6. Publication of books on Kokborok poetry, short story, Novel, Drama etc. 7. Collection and publication of Kokborok folk tales , folk songs etc 8. Translation of Indian historical stories into Kokborok and their publication. 9. Collection & publication of North-East folk literature.

B. Other Minority Languages:-

1. Organization of Minority Languages Literary Festival, 2. Seminar/workshop and orientation programme on development of concerned languages, 3. Preparation of Text Books grade wise, 4. Publication of books on poetry, short story, Novel, Drama etc. 3

5. Collection and publication of Folk tales, folk songs etc. 6. Vocabulary/Thesaurus for Mog, Chakma and Halam languages.

Challenges:-

1. The current levels and types of resources available for promotion and development of Kokborok and other languages are simply not sufficient. 2. Development of Text Books with script in some languages, 3. Inadequate fund for publication of literary books of minority languages, 4. The challenge is to raise the level of support and make the support more effective in developing tribal languages. 5. Non-availability of language teacher and recruitment thereof.

Conclusion:-

Development and promotion of Kokborok and other minority languages is only beginning to take shape and will continue to evolve for many years to come. There is a strong and growing demand of tribal society for Development and promotion of Kokborok and other minority languages. To satisfy their demand is a big challenge before the administration. However State Government is trying to overcome the challenges and accelerate the development and promotion of Kokborok and other minority languages.

ANNEXURE-I

Tribal Population of Tripura

Name of the Year of census tribe 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 Tripuri 250545 330872 461531 543848 592255 Reang 64722 84003 111604 165103 188220 Jamatia 34192 44501 60824 74949 83347 Noatia 10297 7182 4158 6655 14298 Uchai 1061 1306 1637 2103 2447 Kuki 7775 5501 10628 11674 10965 Halam 19076 28969 36499 47245 57210 Lushai 3672 3734 4910 4777 5384 Bhutia 3 22 47 29 28 Lepcha 14 106 111 105 157 Khasia 491 457 358 630 366 Chakma 28662 34797 96096 64293 79813 Mog 13273 18231 31612 30385 37893 Garo 5559 7297 9360 11180 12952 Munda/Kaur 5347 7993 11547 12416 14544 Santal 2222 2726 2736 2151 2913 Orang 3428 5217 6751 6223 12011 Bhil 169 838 1754 2336 3105 Chaimal 0 18 26 226 549 Generic Tribe etc. 360 1500 0 7098 48356 Total 450544 583920 853345 1166813

Source: Tribal Research & Cultural Institute, Govt. of Tripura.

ANNEXURE-II

LIST OF KOKBOROK TEXT BOOKS FOR CLASSES FROM I TO XII

Class Name of books I 1. Puila Porima, 2. Sa-Nwi(Baksa) II 1. Larima, 2. Sa-Nwi(Baknwi) III 1. Khumtoya IV 1. Khumbar V 1. Athukiri 1. Yapri Kwtal, VI 2. Kokborok Kokma Kwtal, 3. Chubachu 1. Yapri Kwtal, VII 2. Kokborok Kokma Kwtal, 3. Chubachu 1. Yapri Kwtal, VIII 2. Kokborok Kokma Kwtal, 3. Chubachu 1. Rwngkwchar Kokrwbai Bwchab, IX & X 2. Rwngkwchar Kokbook Kokma Tei Swimung Bachab, 3. Rwngkwchar Kokrwbai Chubachu 1. Berem Kuchuk Rwngkwchar Kokrwbai Bwchab, XI & XII 2. Berem Kuchuk Rwngkwchar Kokborok Kokma Tei Swimung Bwchab

ANNEXURE-III

List of Text Books of other minority languages for classes from I – V (Halam, Chakma, Mog, Kuki – Mizo, Manipuri, Bishnupriya Manipuri)

Languages Class Name of Books I Moiser polkhet Halam II Moiser polkhet III Moiser pol-thum I Ranjuni II Ranjuni Chakma III Ranjuni IV Ranjuni V Ranjuni I Poinya Arong Mog II Poinya Arong III Poinya Arong I Zotawng I II Zotawng II Kuki - Mizo III Zotawng III IV Zotawng IV V Zotawng V I Takhellei II Takhellei Manipuri III Takhellei IV Takhellei , Manipuri Grammar V Takhellei , Manipuri Grammar I Mayek Methel II Mayek Methel Bishnupuri Manipuri III Mingalar Pareng IV Mingalar Pareng Bishnupriya Manipuri Grammar V Mingalar Pareng Bishnupriya Manipuri Grammar

Display of Textbooks of Minority Languages