On the International Mother language Day, the Odisha Adibasi Manch here on Saturday put forward a series of demands for promotion of tribal language and culture in the State.
State convenor of the Manch Bidulata Huika said that Odisha has 62 types of tribals and 29 types of tribal languages still spoken. This indicates that 33 types of tribal languages are dead. Out of the 29 languages that are still alive, the Government has now come up with primers on ten tribal languages. Primers in the rest nineteen languages need to be published soon to conserve the language and identity of tribals, she demanded.
Besides, she demanded establishment of special chair in the Central University at Koraput and other universities of the State on tribal language and culture and their early childhood education ( ECE), digitisation of existing tribal scripts like Olchiki, Ho, Sora Sompeng, Kui, etc, emphasis on multi-lingual approach in addition to mother tongue based education for tribals, implementation of ECE in 20,000 AWCs instead of 624, easy availability of primers in ICDS offices at block levels and AWCs, proper distribution of these materials and related materials (as in case of Nua Arunima in Odia language) like audio visuals, CDs at the ground level, appointment of an additional Anganwadi Worker (AWW) or nutrition counselor in each AWC, orientation for all the ICDS staff members such as DSWOs, ADSWOs, SSWOs, SEOs, CDPOs, Supervisors on MTMlECE, training to the AWWs in the tribal areas, enlistment of tribal language experts and educationists and taking their help in capacity building process and building Block Resource Centre for strengthening ECE in each block.
The Manch also sought publication of an Odia version of the National Policy on ECCE and formation of a State Council.