Kohima, 21 August (MTNews): The Gorkha community of Kohima celebrated the 32nd Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas (Nepali Language Recognition Day) under the aegis of Gorkha Public Panchayat Kohima (GPPK) at its Multi-Utility Hall in Chandmari on Sunday.
Chairman of Tsütuonuomia Khel of Kohima Village, K Neibou Sekhose gracing the occasion as the special guest, asked the community to be proud for getting the Nepali language included in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India.
Saying that language is a vital part of human connection, he said although all species have their ways of communicating, humans are the only ones that have mastered cognitive language communication.
He also encouraged the T Khel Gorkhas to learn Tenyidie and continue to make the age-old relationship stronger and dearer.
As per the record, Sekhose said Jasbir Khawas came from Nepal and settled at Chandmari in 1872 (151 yrs) and all these years T Khel and Nepali are maintaining cordial relations.
Further, Sekhose said that one of the biggest threats in Nagaland today is ‘ism’ and added that it can destroy the relationship between two communities if they are not careful.
“Our relationship is one of the best platforms to overcome this disease. Let’s all uphold the legacy of our forefathers/leaders,” he said.
GPPK advisor Ranjit Lama highlighted the significance of the day saying it is a proud day for the 10 million Indian Nepali speaking citizens for inclusion of Nepali language in the 8th schedule of Indian Constitution on 20 August 1992.
Language is one of the most important parts of any culture, he said, adding it is the way by which people communicate, express, build relationships, and create a sense of community.
Lama said that August 20 is a historic day since 1992 for Nepali speaking Indian citizens as the decade-long struggle for recognition of their mother-tongue became a reality. “Hence, Indian Nepali people celebrate the day with great pomp and splendour as ‘Bhasa Manyata Diwas’ every year,” he said.
The first official demand for recognition was made on 18 January 1956 by Anand Singh Thapa, Veer Singh Bhandari and Narendra Singh Rana on behalf of a quarterly magazine, the Jagrat Gorkha from Dehradun, he said.
Chaired by GSUK vice president Jenny Lamechane Chettri, the program started with lighting of lamp by the guests and dignitaries. GPPK general secretary Suresh Kumar Lama delivered the welcome address while GPPK president Santu Thapa tendered the closing remarks.
Special song by Pfurba Lama and dance by Rohan Sunar and Manisha Sonar enthralled the gathering.