At the centennial celebration of the Ol Chiki script in Jharkhand, President Droupadi Murmu underscored the imperative of protecting and propagating tribal languages, cultural practices, and indigenous knowledge systems. The event, which took place in East Singhbhum district, commemorated 100 years of the Ol Chiki script, developed by the revered Pandit Raghunath Murmu. This script has been a cornerstone in building the Santhali community’s cultural pride and sense of identity.
President Murmu initiated the proceedings with a moving Santhali Nehor prayer, a childhood practice that seeks blessings from Jaher Ayo, the embodiment of Mother Nature, for societal progress. Her decision to address the gathering entirely in Santhali highlighted the deep emotional connection she feels to the language and culture. She paid tribute to the tireless efforts of Santhali intellectuals and community organizers who are instrumental in the preservation of the Ol Chiki script and the Santhali language.
The President lauded the Union government for its significant move to release the Constitution of India in the Ol Chiki script, a testament to linguistic pluralism. She further argued that for efficient governance, essential legal and administrative information must be disseminated in the vernacular. A key part of the ceremony involved honoring twelve individuals for their impactful contributions to the growth of Santhali language and literature. Government representatives present pledged their continued support for the preservation of tribal identity and cultural heritage.