1. Pema Khandu, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, announces collaboration with community organizations.
2. The initiative aims to develop scripts for indigenous languages, ensuring education in mother tongues.
3. The goal is to foster a strong cultural connection for children in the state.
Itanagar, Dec 13: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently announced the government’s initiative to collaborate with community-based organizations for the development of scripts in various indigenous languages within the state. The objective is to ensure that children are educated in their mother tongues, fostering a deep connection to their cultural roots.
Khandu particularly encouraged the youth belonging to the Monpa and Khampti communities, which possess their distinct scripts, to actively engage in learning and preserving their linguistic heritage.
During the inauguration of Thegtse Sangye Choi Long Monastery in Balemu, a small hamlet located at the tri-junction of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bhutan in the West Kameng district, Khandu emphasized the government’s commitment to preserving the rich cultural diversity and linguistic traditions of all indigenous communities in the state.
The occasion coincided with the annual Shar Amartala Torgya Festival, held under the patronage and blessings of Padma Shri the 14th Thegtse Rinpoche, attracting devotees from both Arunachal Pradesh and neighboring Bhutan.
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The Monpas and Khamptis, both Buddhist communities belonging to Mahayana and Hinayana sects, respectively, have their unique scripts. While Monpas inhabit the Tawang and West Kameng districts in western Arunachal Pradesh, Khamptis reside in the Namsai district in the eastern part of the state, bordering Upper Assam.
Khandu acknowledged the fortune of these communities in having their scripts, which are now being incorporated into school curricula. However, he stressed the importance of extending similar efforts to develop scripts for other communities or utilizing the Roman script to teach indigenous languages, ensuring a continued connection to cultural roots for all children in the state.
As a Monpa himself, Khandu highlighted ongoing initiatives to recruit teachers who can impart the Bhoti script to Monpas in schools within the Mon region, encompassing Tawang and West Kameng districts. He expressed gratitude to Monpa MLAs and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for their contributions towards the construction of the monastery, underscoring the need to preserve the rich cultural heritage embedded in the Buddhist traditions followed by the Mon people for centuries.
Khandu also recognized the tourism potential of Balemu, positioned as the gateway to the western part of the state. He noted that the growth of Balemu had been previously hampered by the Bodo insurgency in adjacent Assam.
However, with the insurgency’s resolution, thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, peace has been restored along the inter-state boundary with Assam, paving the way for renewed development opportunities in the region.
In addition to the cultural and linguistic preservation efforts, Khandu outlined plans to enhance infrastructure and facilities at key entry points to the state, including Balemu and Bhalukpong in the West Kameng district.
With the support of the central government, the aim is to develop these locations into tourist-friendly destinations, contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of Arunachal Pradesh.
Moreover, Khandu assured ongoing efforts to address the inter-state boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, demonstrating a commitment to fostering regional harmony and collaboration.
