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Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Native Tongues Need A Boost
Ranchi: Even as the state govt is promoting tribal and indigenous languages through various projects, the pace of their development is impeded by several factors, including the dearth of institutions for such a purpose apart from manpower shortages and a lack of research work for the enrichment and development of the languages. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Notably, Jharkhand is a state with a wide linguistic diversity. There are 32 STs in the state, and most of them have their native languages, while many do not have scripts. Among the languages spoken by the people of the state are Angika, Sadri, Nagpuri, Panchpargania, Malpaharia, Mundari, Santali, Ho, Kharia, Kurukh, Malto, Korwa, Bijori, Gondi and Asur apart from Hindi, Bhojpuri and Odia. The major tribal languages among them are Mundari, Kurukh Kharia, Ho and Santali, and the regional languages are Nagpuri, Khortha, Panchpargania and Kurmali. Citing the 2011 population census, the Linguistic Survey of India published a report in March 2024 stating that 77.38 lakh people speak Khortha, 28.95 lakh speak Santali, 9.92 lakh speak Ho, 9.95 lakh speak Kurukh, 7.57 lakh speak Nagpuri, 2.44 lakh speak Panchapargania, 1.47 lakh speak Paharia, 1.40 lakh speak Kharia, and 2,341 speak Korwa. In 1981, the then state govt established the one-of-its-kind Tribal and Regional Language (TRL) Institute under Ranchi University (RU) for teaching nine major tribal and regional languages. Some of these languages are also being taught in other universities and colleges. The nine languages are also considered the second language of the state. Moreover, questions are being asked about these languages in major competitive examinations held by the Jharkhand State Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Even the central service cadres who serve in Jharkhand have to pass in one of these tribal languages to get a promotion. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Meanwhile, Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) official Avinav Kumar said, "The govt is teaching five main tribal languages in 1,000 schools across eight districts — West Singhbhum, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Saraikela, Latehar, Dumka and Lohardaga in the state. The schools have been provided with teachers and bilingual books for education. "The education department is also considering a plan for adding other tribal and regional languages in school education, but a final blueprint is yet to be prepared," he added. The premier institute TRL, however, has a shortage of regular teachers and is being run with the help of teachers hired based on need. The subjects also lack adequate books for study. Many of the students learn from photocopies of unpublished works of writers. All tribal and regional languages, including those without scripts, are being taught in the Devanagari script as it is easier for students to understand. While the script of some languages, like Kharia, does not exist, the scripts of other languages are not effective or popular. In the recent past, efforts were made to promote the Ol Chiki script used for Santali language after it was developed by scholar Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925. Several experts have emphasised the formation of a Jharkhandi language academy with linguistic experts as members. The former head of department (HOD) TRL and former vice chancellor of the Jharkhand State Open University T N Sahu said, "There is a need for a language academy to work on scripts of tribal and regional languages, collect write-ups, and print them. The languages develop from the writings of various people, right from handwritten works in villages to those of scholars. Many write-ups, including handwritten works, have not been published as, after the death of the writers, their families could not invest money in it." Sahu also said the academy could invent scripts of various tribal languages according to standard parameters by conducting meetings of language scientists from all over the country and also by forming committees in this regard. At present, many of the scripts are being written at individual levels, which are not of high quality, he stressed. For instance, while Khortha is gaining ground among students, they are not using the Khortha script called Kharosthi for their studies, Sahu claimed, adding that a language academy could have ensured its review by language scientists to make it comprehensible and popular. Most academicians also said that many tribal and indigenous languages are dying because people are not using them. The new generation, particularly those who are living in towns and cities, are not using any of the tribal languages, they claimed, adding that if their scripts and handwritten works are published, these languages could survive. Experts also felt that in the absence of a language academy, the state's indigenous languages are not getting the benefits of prominent language scientists from different parts of the country. The academicians also feel that on the lines of Bihar, a University Service Commission should be formed in Jharkhand for the recruitment of teachers in higher education and their promotion. The alternative method could be to delegate the power to the vice-chancellors of universities in this regard, they said. The former HOD of all languages in the early years of TRL, Hari Oraon, said, "The JPSC, which appoints and promotes teachers in colleges, is more focused on the administrative posts. Consequently, a large number of posts in universities, including the TRL, are lying vacant. Due to a lack of promotion in TRL, the research works were affected as there is not a single professor in the institute, while the assistant professors can enrol only a limited number of students." Current TRL HOD of Nagpuri, Umesh Nand Tiwary, said, "Students are not finding guides for carrying out research work. All of them approached us, but we have our limitations. This badly affected the research work." Besides, the number of regular teachers appointed in different languages is not sufficient across the state. There is a shortage of teachers not only in TRL but also in RU-affiliated colleges where these languages are being taught. The institutions are mainly dependent on teachers hired on a need basis. The coverage of these languages by universities is also limited. For instance, there is huge demand for postgraduate courses in Khortha language in the North Chhotanagpur area but Vinoba Bhave University is offering only certificate courses at present. Moreover, Santali and Khortha are spoken by a significant number of people in Santhal Paragana, but Khortha is not taught in Sido-Kanhu Murmu University. Tiwary said, "Education in all nine regional and tribal languages should be carried out in all the universities and the districts across the state, irrespective of the number of students coming for enrolment. This would help in the promotion of these languages. "
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Minister meets artistes, pledges support to regional cinema
Ranchi: During a meeting with a visiting delegation of regional artistes on Thursday, the state's minister of tourism, art, culture, and youth affairs, Sudivya Kumar, assured that steps will soon be taken to boost the state's film industry, especially Nagpuri cinema. The meeting was attended by members of the Jharkhand Kalakar Andolan Sangharsh Samiti (JKASS), who submitted a list of demands to strengthen the visibility and viability of local films and artists. Notably, the meeting comes days after TOI's Johar Jharkhand, a special series themed on film, music and state's artistes. The key demand was mandatory screening of Jharkhandi-language films, including Nagpuri, in cinema halls and panchayat buildings. The artists also called for the restructuring of the Jharkhand Film Development Corporation Limited (JFDCL), better subsidy policies, and artist welfare schemes. "Currently, only a handful of theatres screen Nagpuri films, and most shows don't run beyond a few days. This limits our audience and impact. But the minister's response has given us hope. For the first time, there is serious acknowledgement of our issues," said Vivek Nayak, vice president of JKASS. Sudivya posted on X that the artists' suggestions would be taken seriously and discussed at the right forums. He also hinted at upcoming reforms, including an artist insurance scheme and institutional changes in the state's film policy.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
State's music struggles for recognition amid lack of promotion, resources
Ranchi: While Bhojpuri and Punjabi music continues to dominate playlists and social media reels across the globe, Jharkhand's rich musical heritage struggles to find a similar spotlight. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Despite having deep-rooted tribal and folk traditions, the state's music scene remains mostly confined to seasonal festivals, local events and on the fringes of digital platforms. Singers and music experts from the state say the reasons for this setback are manifold. Among them, poor presentation, language limitations, financial constraints and lack of promotional strategy are the biggest roadblocks preventing the state's music from reaching national or global audiences. Monika Mundu, a Nagpuri singer and practising since 1989, emphasises that even though the contents and melodies of the state songs are rich, the way they are packaged and presented remains outdated. "Our songs have the soul and stories, but they lack presentation. Today's generation connects with looks and sounds that are trendy. Unless we upgrade the production quality and visuals, we will stay behind. Our music evolved and is now gaining some national recognition, says Monika, who has sung songs like 'Ab Jago Jharkhandi' among others. According to Monika, most local artists in the state struggle to find producers, who are willing to invest in such enhancements, unlike Punjabi or Bhojpuri songs that invest heavily in high-quality videos, catchy choreography and promotional teasers. Other artists say the impediment is also because of the language factor as most tribal and regional songs from the state are composed in Nagpuri, Kurukh, Mundari, Kharia or Ho languages that are spoken primarily in the state or by small tribal populations in neighbouring regions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Suman Gari, a Nagpuri singer, says, "There's a beauty in our languages, but they are less understood, hence shared less. When people don't understand the lyrics, they move on. We need subtitles, translations and more fusion content to widen the appeal." The artists also highlight that while Bhojpuri and Punjabi singers easily get platforms through private music labels, most tribal singers in the state work without any organisational support. Manish Sony, another singer, says, "Finances are a constant hurdle. We can't even afford proper studio time or professional instruments. Most of us borrow, record at makeshift setups and release songs on YouTube without any ad support. How will we compete with Bhojpuri singers who spend lakhs on a single track?" Experts and cultural promoters also agree that the state lacks a defined ecosystem for the music industry. Sanjay Kumar, the owner of Runiya Prem Films Production, says, "There is no proper infrastructure, production house or marketing agencies dedicated to regional music. In the absence of these basic elements, most artists don't know how to promote themselves."
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Artistes seek reforms in regional film industry to help it grow
1 2 Ranchi: A delegation of local artistes from across the state on Wednesday met the state minister of art and culture, Sudivya Kumar, to press for reforms in the regional film industry , particularly Nagpuri cinema , and highlighted key demands of local film makers, technicians, and to the discussion was the call for mandatory screening of Jharkhandi language films, including Nagpuri, in cinema halls across the state. Artists emphasised that regional films struggle to find space in commercial in its Johar Jharkhand special edition recently highlighted the problems faced by the state's local film industry and the need to revive the state's film policy."Currently, only around 15 cinema halls in Jharkhand screen Nagpuri films, and even those rarely run for more than four days. This severely limits audience access to our cultural content and hurts our ability to grow," said Nagpuri singer Vivek delegation, under the banner of Jharkhand Kalakar Andolan Sangharsh Samiti, also strongly advocated for a streamlined and accessible subsidy policy for films in all regional languages. They proposed that the Film Development Council of Jharkhand (FIDCOJ) be reorganised to include individuals with expertise in cinema and deep knowledge of Jharkhand's culture. The artists insisted that the new policy should enable 100% subsidies for regional films to encourage production and sustain the local film demands included health insurance for artists and technicians, pensions for artists above the age of 50 or those living with disabilities, the issuance of govt-recognised artist ID cards, and the construction of a govt-funded art centre in Ranchi for free public to the delegation's concerns, the minister on X posted, "I have assured them that their suggestions regarding the Jharkhand film policy will be raised at the appropriate forums. The state govt stands with its artists and will take every possible step to support and promote them."The meeting was followed by a peaceful march on Saturday, where over 200 artists from different districts marched from the Press Club to the Firayalal Chowk.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Gumla rolls out project to improve primary education in govt schools
Gumla : The district administration rolled out an ambitious Project AJIT (A Journey Towards Inspiration and Transformation) to improve the standard of education in govt schools. It is the first such approach conceptualised by Gumla DC Karn Satyarthi to achieve excellence in the govt education system under his Siksha Kar Bhent initiative, which translates to Gift of Education in the Nagpuri language, from the current academic session. To realise the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission, it is considered important to provide adequate support from the early years of children. "The district administration believes that building strong foundational skills in children during these crucial years will help them become effective learners and eliminate the chances of school dropouts and the need for remedial interventions in later years," said assistant nodal officer of Siksha Kar Bhent, Dildar Singh. "The school education department focuses on the learning of children from classes 1 to 3 by engaging them in play-based pedagogy, using local resources and various low-cost and readily available materials — a zero cost initiative," said Gumla district superintendent of education (DSE) Noor Alam Khan. DC Satyarthi elaborates on the district administration's vision of the project, saying, "Junior classes should be both 'print-rich,' featuring various types of storybooks, story cards, picture cards, and flashcards, and 'play-rich', containing a variety of manipulatives, toys, and other play-based activities in their eduation."
