Northeast Desk, 20th August: In a decisive move to bolster the status of the Nepali language, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced a series of initiatives during his address on Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas. The day, which marks the recognition of Nepali as an official language in India, served as a platform for Tamang to outline the government’s commitment to enhancing the language’s role within the state and beyond.
During his speech, CM Tamang addressed a long-standing issue, noting that despite the constitutional recognition of Nepali, official government notifications have never been issued in the language. “This will change,” Tamang declared. “From now on, all government notifications will be published in Nepali, and this will extend to government advertisements as well.”
Tamang’s announcement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for promoting local languages across India. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of not only Nepali but also other local languages like Gurung, Rai, Tamang, Bhutia, and Lepcha in maintaining Sikkim’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity.
One of the key initiatives announced was the integration of Nepali into the educational system. Tamang revealed plans to distribute Nepali dictionaries to students across the state and to encourage schools to incorporate Nepali language studies into their curricula. He also proposed the idea of a “traditional dress day” in schools to strengthen students’ connection to their cultural roots.
In a bid to further entrench the Nepali language within higher education, private universities in Sikkim will soon be required to offer Nepali language courses. This initiative will be part of the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas in August 2025, which will be celebrated with extensive participation from students at all educational levels.
Supporting these efforts, Tamang announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Fund to the Nepali Sahitya Parishad. The funds will aid in organizing activities for the upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations, which Tamang described as a pivotal moment for the state’s linguistic heritage.
In his address, Tamang paid homage to the key figures who played vital roles in securing Nepali’s recognition in the Indian Constitution, including Ananda Singh Thapa, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, and Dil Kumari Bhandari. He described their achievements as a source of pride for Nepali-speaking communities worldwide.
The day’s celebrations at Manan Bhawan in Gangtok, organized by the Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Sikkim, also saw the presentation of the Kanchenjunga Mitrasen Smriti Award to musician Basant Chettri, in recognition of his contributions to Nepali culture.
In closing, CM Tamang called for collective action to elevate the Nepali language both within Sikkim and across the nation. “Our language is our pride, and protecting and promoting it is our collective responsibility,” he stated, urging the people of Sikkim to unite in making Nepali a language of prominence and progress.
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