Shillong, Nov 4: As the demand to include Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India gains traction in the State, Meghalaya Government has decided to give a massive push to develop literature and promote the local languages with the objective of ensuring that they are included in the Eighth Schedule. Government has announced to fund such projects which will enrich the local literature, culture and the traditions.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday announced that the Government will support research, development and promotion of local languages by providing financial assistance to scholars, writers and authors.

Greatly enlightened by the various Speakers who further informed us about the contributions of Babu Hajom Kissor Sing not only to the Unitarian Spiritual Movement but to education and the promotion of the Khasi Language. Babu Hajom was a man beyond his years and only through the… pic.twitter.com/tTtJcaubVF

— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 4, 2023

Addressing at the Babu Hajom Kissor Sing Memorial Lecture organised by the Unitarian Union North Eastern India to commemorate the Death Centenary of Babu Hajom Kissor Sing at U Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong, the Chief Minister said, “In our endeavour to promote Khasi and Garo language, we should all come together as a society to promote our own culture and language.”

He said that the Government has been continuously engaging with the centre for inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, that would accord recognition to the language.

He said that documentation of culture and language is very important and realising its importance, the State Government is coming up with a special programme to support writing and research that aims to promote local language and culture of the people.

“We are giving shape to the policy and sufficient funds will be made available for research to those who are keen to write about different aspects of our society, our people and our leaders. The idea for this being that our younger generation should be able to learn about our culture and the rich tradition in the local language,” he added.

He also informed that funds will be made available to film makers for creating audio-visual content that promotes our culture and language.

MLAs to be oriented with knowledge of each other’s languages

He further informed that Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is starting an orientation programme on language, wherein MLAs from Garo Hills will be given basic orientation on Khasi language, while MLAs from Khasi – Jaintia Hills will be given orientation in Garo language.

“We want to promote our language and also encourage our leaders to understand each other’s languages,” he added.

He also informed that local languages are being introduced as mandatory subjects for various examinations in the State. “While recognition for our language by its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule is awaited, we don’t want to leave any stone unturned to promote our own language through different interventions in the State.”

Also Read: MHA agrees to include Garo language in proposed Eighth Schedule language demand list

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