IOP News Desk
Baripada, Nov 20, 2023: President Droupadi Murmu attended the 36th Annual Conference and Literary Festival of All India Santali Writers' Association in Baripada, Odisha on November 20, 2023.
In her speech, the President praised the writers and researchers who are contributing to the Santhali language and literature.
She commended the All India Santali Writers Association for promoting the language since its establishment in 1988.
The President also acknowledged the increased use of Santhali language in government and non-government sectors since its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 2003.
She paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, under whose tenure Santhali language was included in the Eighth Schedule.
The President highlighted that most of the Santhali literature has been passed down orally. She mentioned that Pandit Raghunath Murmu not only created the Ol Chiki script but also enriched the Santhali language through his plays.
She praised other Santhali writers for their contributions and mentioned the Padma Shri awards received by Damayanti Besra and Kali Pada Saren for education and literature.
The President emphasized the role of authors as watchdogs of society, guiding and raising awareness through their work. She urged writers to continue creating awareness, especially among tribal communities.
She stated that building a strong and vigilant society requires continuous awareness.
The President described literature as a reflection of a community's culture. She noted the tribal communities' harmonious coexistence with nature and stressed the importance of nature-friendly living in addressing climate change.
She encouraged writers to depict the lifestyles of tribal communities to promote understanding and appreciation.
The President emphasized the importance of language and literature in uniting the nation.
She called for the translation of Santhali literature into other languages and vice versa to facilitate cultural exchange.
She also highlighted the need for engaging children in self-study from an early age and the creation of entertaining and comprehensible children's literature in all Indian languages.
The President celebrated the contributions of Santhali writers, emphasized the importance of literature in society, and called for the preservation and promotion of tribal culture and language.