Mein calls for preserving tribal languages
KODUNGALLUR (Kerala), Apr 22: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein attended the release of ‘Daiva Dasakam’ (The Ten Verses on God) here in Thrisur district on Saturday.
The Daiva Dasakam has also been translated in the Tai-Khampti language of Arunachal Pradesh, and the occasion was historic as a Guinness World Record was set by releasing it in 100 languages.
“The heartfelt prayer and exquisite poetry contained in Daiva Dasakam are unique and still stand unparalleled even after 100 years, and it is accepted universally even today,” said Mein.
“It is a proud moment for us that Daiva Dasakam has also been translated in the Tai-Khampti script, which is one of the languages of one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, to which I belong,” he said.
He informed the gathering that Tai-Kampti is a tribe with its own script, called Lik-Tai, which is preserved in Buddhist monasteries and homes in the form of manuscripts.
Informing that Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes, Mein stressed on preservation and promotion of tribal languages and dialects, some of which are on the verge of extinction.
He informed that his government has taken significant measures to preserve and promote the age-old identities of various tribes of the state, and sought the Centre’s assistance in this regard.
He advocated conducting cultural exchange programmes to strengthen the spirit of ‘unity in diversity’ among the people of different regions.
Kerala Agriculture Minister VS Sunil Kumar, along with MPs, MLAs and others were also present at the function. (PRO)
