Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced that her government will give official recognition to two more languages in the state. Addressing a programme to mark the occasion of International Mother Language Day at Deshapriya Park, the chief minister said that Kuruk, the language used by the Orao adivasis in the state, and the language spoken by the Rajbanshi-Kamtapuri in North Bengal, are the two.
“The UN has declared the Kuruk as an endangered language but it is spoken by as many as 16 lakh people in the state hailing from the Jangalmahal and tea gardens of North Bengal. We are giving recognition to this language by declaring it as an official language,” Ms Banerjee said. She added that the language of the Rajbansho-Kamtapuri, mainly hailing from Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar districts in North Bengal, will also be declared as an official language.
A committee headed by eminent author Nrishinga Prasad Bhaduri has already been constituted for studying the alphabets of this language.
Ms Banerjee had earlier given official recognition to two languages — Alchiki and Nepali. The chief minister further announced that the smarak (statue) related to Bhasa Divas built at Bhasa Udyan will also be renovated.
