Shillong May 4, 2022: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said that ‘language’ defines the identity of a tribe.
“It is our identity as a tribe, as a community and therefore, the importance of language cannot be measured,” the Chief Minister said speaking at the 61st Annual Conference of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha at Tamulpur, Assam.
Lauding the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) he said, “We all are inspired to see how Bodos have ensured that their language moves ahead, it is nurtured, and documented.”
The conference was graced by President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang.
The Chief Minister took the opportunity to apprise the President of India on the inclusion of Khasi and Garo language in the Eighth schedule to Constitution of India.
He also spoke on the similarities between Garo and Bodo language, while advocating strongly for inclusion of Garo & Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule.
“I strongly feel that inclusion of languages of different tribes and different communities will only leave to a stronger integration of this very diverse but great nation of us,” he said.
He further urged the President of India to support the people’s aspiration of the Northeast and to ensure that languages from the region is included in eight schedule to protect and promote the language and identity of the people.
“We urge you to ensure that not just Garo & Khasi but all the different communities and tribes and languages that are there in the northeast different tribes, they may be small but their identity comes from the language and the culture that they have,” he added.
CM Conrad recalls PA Sangma raising voice for the Bodos
During his speech, the Meghalaya CM also recalled his father (L) PA Sangma’s love for the Bodos and how he had pursued their issues in the Parliament.
“I remember till today when he was an MP, when Bodoland was undergoing through many issues, he raised his voice for the Bodos and Bodoland in the Parliament. For the respect that he extended to the Bodo people, similarly, the Bodo people extended the same love and respect towards him,” he told the gathering.
He also informed that in a few days he’ll be going to the Bodoland University where the management is organising a PA Sangma memorial lecture; he thanked the university for this honour.
He also expressed his gratitude to the President, stating that his presence is not just an inspiration to the people of Bodo areas, but it shows his concern and respect for all the tribes of the Northeast.
“This sends a very powerful message to the people of NE that as a government and as the President of this country, every single community is important. It sends a message that every language that is being spoken throughout the country must be preserved and must be given due importance and this message will reach every corner of the Northeast,” he said.