PM Modi Praises Odisha Youth For Promoting Santhali Language With Digital Innovation

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday heaped praises on Ramjit Tudu, a resident of Mayurbhanj in Odisha, for his initiative to conserve and promote Santhali language with the help of digital innovation.

“There are some languages which are used by very few people. One such language is our ‘Santhali‘ language. A campaign has been started to give a new identity to Santhali with the help of digital innovation,” the PM said in the 114th episode of Mann Ki Baat as it celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday.

Modi said that Ramjit has developed a digital platform, where people can read Santhali literature and also write in the language. “Actually, a few years ago when Ramjit ji started using the mobile phone, he was saddened by the fact that he could not send messages in his mother tongue. After that, he started exploring the possibilities of typing ‘Ol Chiki’, script of the Santhali language. With the help of some of his friends, he developed the technique of typing in ‘Ol Chiki’. Today, due to his efforts, articles written in Santhali language are reaching millions of people.”

The PM said that Santhali is spoken by the people of the Santhal tribe community residing in many states. “Apart from India, the tribal communities speaking Santhali are also present in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan,” he added.

Ramjit, a 28-year-old techie, has been creating a digital identity for Santhali language for the last one decade. He has digitized Santali by creating tools like Ol Chiki Tech, Santali Wikipedia, and the e-magazine Birmali. He has also provided a digital platform to writers in the language. He is also working  on an open-source data collection initiative that is focused on empowering language technologies for English-Santali.

The Prime Minister also shared a success story from Madhya Pradesh. “In Raipura Village of Dindori, Madhya Pradesh, construction of a large pond has raised the groundwater level considerably. The women of this village benefited from this,” he said.

While applauding Telangana’s KN Rajasekhar, who has planted more than 1500 saplings, he requested everyone to join the sacred ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

He also spoke on the popularity of “Swachh Bharat Mission. “Due to the success of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ the Waste to Wealth’ mantra is becoming popular among people. People have started talking about Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. I just came to know about a great effort in Kozhikode, Kerala. Here, 74-year-old Subramanian ji has repaired more than 23,000 chairs and thus made them re-usable again.”

The Prime Minister recalled the repatriation of ancient artefacts by the US. “We are all very proud of our heritage. I always say ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’. US President Joe Biden, very affectionately, showed me some of these artefacts in his private residence in Delaware. Returned Artifacts are made of materials such as Terracotta, Stone, ivory, wood, copper and bronze,” he said.

He also emphasised ‘Create in India’ to promote talent and creativity.

PM Modi also encouraged buying Made in India products during festive season. He said, “In this festive season you can once again reiterate your old resolves. Anything you buy, should necessarily be ‘Made in India’… Anything you gift that too should be Made In India. Merely buying earthen lamps is not ‘Vocal for Local’.”

Launched in 2014, the programme has become a key platform for the Prime Minister to address the nation, sharing his thoughts on national issues.