Bhubaneswar
Known for its diverse tribal communities and linguistic varieties, with over 24% of the state population comprising of indigenous communities, Odisha’s resolution to include Saora language in the 8th Schedule is in line with its endeavour “to protect, preserve, propagate and promote its endangered languages”.
The 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India recognises and safeguards linguistic diversity by listing languages that are officially recognised and supported by the Central government. Any language’s inclusion in the 8th Schedule empowers the community through legal, administrative, and financial assistance for the development and preservation of their language.
With each passing day, valuable linguistic treasures are becoming obsolete, erasing the unique knowledge, wisdom, cultural expressions and identities held within these endangered languages.
Hence, this move assumes tremendous significance as it will go a long way in protecting indigenous languages from becoming endangered and eventually fading out.
THE BENEFITS
- Recognition of the Saora language in the 8th Schedule opens doors to educational opportunities for the Saora community.
- It will enable increased integration of the Saora language into the formal education system, facilitating mother tongue-based multilingual education.
- It will not only improves the school readiness of the children of the Saora community, but also fosters a positive learning environment where children can express themselves without any language or cultural barriers.
- It will promote significant socio-economic benefits for the Saora community including opening up of avenues to showcase its unique cultural practices, art forms, and traditional knowledge systems.
- The recognition of the Saora language empowers the community by affirming their identity and cultural distinctiveness.
- It instils a sense of pride, dignity, and self-worth among community members, encouraging their active participation in decision-making processes and fostering social cohesion.
Saora language serves as a vessel for its traditional knowledge, encompassing ecological wisdom, its sustainable agricultural practices, medicinal knowledge, and its traditional arts. By including the Saora language in the 8th Schedule, the Government recognises and facilitates the importance of preserving this invaluable traditional knowledge, ensuring its transmission to future generations through the co-creation of an eco-system for research and studies anchored around preservation and promotion of the language.
The safeguarding of traditional knowledge contributes to the community’s self-sufficiency, sustainability, and cultural resilience.
With this Cabinet resolution, Odisha stands at the forefront of endangered language preservation in India, while also sustainably empowering local indigenous communities. This resolution reflects the State’s commitment to protect and promote endangered languages, acknowledging their cultural significance and intrinsic value.
By adopting a comprehensive approach encompassing research, education, community involvement, and institutional support, Odisha has paved the way for other States to follow suit.
With this pioneering step, Odisha embarks on a journey to safeguard India’s linguistic heritage, ensuring that the unique voices and identities embedded within endangered languages continue to thrive for generations to come.
(The writer is Senior Consultant, Communities of Practice, Odisha Tribal Development Society)
