Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Stress on unity among Oraons

By Staff correspondent

DIBRUGARH, Nov 20 � Intellectuals from the Oraon (Kurukh) community have called for unity among themselves to revive, promote and develop the Oraon language and culture. In a meeting held recently under the aegis of the Kurukh (Oraon) Sahitya Sabha, District Committee, at the Cultural Complex, Chalkhowa, members of the community expressed grave concern over the existing divide among the Oraons on religious grounds.

The majority of the members expressed the view that the community needs to sink the differences and come together on language, culture and other common grounds. The Oraon community is one of the Adivasi tribes like the Mundas, Kharias, Santals, etc.

Deliberating on the rich history of the Oraons, Kurukh (Oraon) Sahitya Sabha central committee joint secretary David Bara said that Oraons were very much associated with the ancient civilisations � Mohenjodaro, Harappa and Indus Valley. He also cited historical evidence to substantiate the existence of the Oraon script and language.

All Assam Kurukh (Oraon) Sangha adviser Jogeswar Oraon underlined the importance of the tribal religion, Sarna and expressed concern over the influence of outside culture and religion on the tribal people. Oraon said that the Sangha had taken various steps to impart Kurukh lessons among the students but with little success.

The meeting expressed the need to promote the freedom fighter of the Oraon tribe, Bir Budhu Bhagat Oraon, who laid down his life while fighting against the British. While the Karam festival has been revived in recent times, another major festival, Sahrul, has not picked up pace, the meeting noted.

Kurukh (Oraon) Sahitya Sabha adviser Lazrus Toppo emphasised the need to mobilise people to participate in the country�s Census exercise. The chief organising secretary of the Kurukh Sahitya Sabha, central committee, Pascal Toppo, while enlightening more on the status of scheduling, stated the importance of learning the Kurukh language and promoting it at individual, organisational and institute levels.

The Kurukh Sahitya Sabha was founded in 2003 thanks to the efforts of Binen Chandra Bhagat and subsequently, his initiative impacted on the formation of the all India-level Kurukh Literary Society.

The meeting was presided over by Joel Lakra, president of the Kurukh (Oraon) Sahitya Sabha, District Committee. Rajkishore Oraon, secretary of the Kurukh (Oraon) Sahitya Sabha, Patras Ekka, adviser, Banda Oraon, Adivasi Development Council member, were present among others in the meet, a release stated.

Next Story