Odisha Celebrates 100 Years of Ol Chiki Script: A Tribute to Santali Culture

A Year-Long Celebration for Ol Chiki Script

Bhubaneswar: On Monday, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared a year-long celebration to honor the centenary of the 'Ol Chiki' script, which is utilized for writing the Santali language.

This announcement was made during a special event in Mahuldiha village, located in the Mayurbhanj district, commemorating both the 100th anniversary of the Ol Chiki script and the 120th birth anniversary of its creator, Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu.

In his speech, CM Majhi remarked, "Pandit Murmu was more than an individual; he represented a movement, a consciousness, and a visionary in the realm of art and culture. Celebrating 100 years of the Ol Chiki script is not merely a tribute to a literary achievement but a recognition of the language, culture, and identity of an entire indigenous community."

He emphasized that Murmu's creation of the Ol Chiki script marked a significant advancement in cultural development.

Majhi further stated that Pandit Murmu was not only a source of knowledge and education but also unveiled the intrinsic values of the region. He highlighted that language transcends mere communication; it embodies identity, existence, and expression. Communities that take pride in their language tend to thrive.

He added, "Ol Chiki symbolizes that pride and fortifies the community through education, unity, and culture."

The Chief Minister reaffirmed the state's dedication to advancing the Santali language through various initiatives, including primary education, textbook development, teacher training, and linguistic research.

He pointed out that Odisha has incorporated Pandit Murmu's legacy into its educational and cultural frameworks.

Majhi expressed his hope that future generations would continue to honor Murmu's values, knowledge, and cultural appreciation, advocating for mutual respect and harmony among diverse languages, faiths, and cultures.

Additionally, he announced plans for an international seminar aimed at promoting the Santali language.

In his address, he revealed that an 'Ol Chiki' library would be established in Baripada to provide public access to all works authored by Pandit Murmu.

He also disclosed plans for the construction of the Pandit Raghunath Murmu Open Theatre-Museum and a heritage site at his workplace to pay homage to Murmu.

Furthermore, Majhi mentioned that Pandit Murmu's ancestral home in Dandbose would be transformed into a Memorial Pilgrimage Site.

To support these initiatives, the Chief Minister announced a special funding package of Rs 50 crore.