TEZPUR, May 22 - With the rest of the State, the Sonitpur District Boro Sahitya Sabha in collaboration with the Banhbari Primary BSS and local people observed Boro Medium Day on May 18 at Khelmati Nayta Kala Sangha Rangamancha with a day-long programme.
It was on this day in 1963 that Bodo language was declared as the medium of instruction in lower primary schools in Bodo-dominated areas of Kokrajhar subdivision in the then undivided Goalpara district of Lower Assam by Chief Minister Late Bimala Prasad Chaliha.
The first batch of Bodo-medium students appeared in the HSLC examination in 1975. Bodo language was declared as an associate official language in 1985. It is now being taught as a Modern Indian Language in many institutions, including Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University and Bodoland University. Bodo language was listed under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution via the 92nd constitutional amendment in 2003.
The event started with unfurling of the BSS flag by Paduram Boro, district president of the Boro literary body. Floral tributes to the martyrs was initiated by Indra Kanta Basumatary, vice president of Sonitpur district Boro Sahitya Sabha, which was followed by an open session under the presindentship of district president Paduram Boro.
Attending the event as the chief guest, Prasanta Boro dwelt at length on the various circumstances and causes leading to the demand for introduction of Bodo as a medium of instruction in Government schools. Mentioning about the mass movement and sacrifices made thereafter by the Bodos, he recalled how the Chinese aggression in 1962 paved the way for the Bodos to realise the demand for introduction of Bodo medium in Government schools.
�Although Bodo medium at present is facing a crisis of existence, it is not a matter of concern. Because, even a most developed medium like Assamese too is not immune to this global phenomena.�
He mentioned that many Assamese medium schools were being closed down owing to dearth of students despite the fact that other than Assamese, several other communities like Adivasis and religious minorities too had accepted Assamese language as a means of communication and medium of instruction.
�Whereas Bodo medium is used only by a small section of the population, he said that a language exists either as a medium language, social language, domestic language or as a technical language.
Pointing out the present status of Boro language, he mentioned that it still has miles to go to emerge as a modern technical language. Mentioning the merits of mother tongue, Prasanta Boro further said that students from a vernacular background have an attachment with their own culture, language and tradition, thereby accepting a wider societal perspective and often show a great deal of social and parental obligation, flexibility and sense of belonging.
He was hopeful that the new Education Minister would lay emphasis on addressing the perennial problems that have plagued Bodo medium of instruction.
Prominent personalities present on the occasion included Liladhar Boro, Jailen Basumatary and Umananda Boro, among others. The speakers were unanimous in their appeal to those present to shoulder the responsibility to preserve and promote Bodo language and culture in this cut-throat competitive digital age, and more importantly, to get their wards enrolled in Bodo-medium schools.