Northeast Desk, 13th December: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu emphasized the collaborative efforts between his government and community-based organizations to create scripts for various indigenous languages in the state. This initiative aims to ensure that children are taught their mother tongues, fostering a lasting connection to their cultural heritage. During the annual Shar Amartala Torgya Festival at the newly inaugurated Thegtse Sangye Choi Long Monastery in Balemu, Chief Minister Khandu, himself a Monpa, urged youths from the Monpa and Khampti communities to embrace and learn their unique scripts.
Highlighting the commitment to preserving the rich cultures and languages of all indigenous communities, Khandu acknowledged the significance of scripts in maintaining linguistic identity. He specifically commended the Monpas and Khamptis for having their own scripts, already integrated into school curricula. For communities without scripts, the government is exploring the development of scripts or utilizing the Roman script to teach indigenous languages.
The Chief Minister disclosed ongoing efforts to recruit teachers for Bhoti script instruction in Mon region schools, covering Tawang and West Kameng districts. Expressing gratitude to Monpa MLAs and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for supporting the construction of the monastery, Khandu stressed the responsibility of preserving cultural heritage, especially in regions like Balemu, which holds substantial tourism potential.
Acknowledging the positive impact of the end of the Bodo insurgency in adjoining Assam on Balemu’s growth, Khandu credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts for bringing peace to the inter-state boundary with Assam. Furthermore, he highlighted ongoing endeavors, supported by the central government, to resolve the inter-state boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Khandu outlined plans to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure at entry points like Balemu and Bhalukpong in West Kameng district to enhance the state’s appeal to tourists.
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