Table of Contents
Droupadi Murmu Launches 100 Years of Ol Chiki Script Celebration
Introduction
- Event Date – The program was held on February 16, 2026, in New Delhi.
- Event Launch – President Droupadi Murmu started the 100-year celebration of the Ol Chiki script at a special function organized by the Ministry of Culture.
- Historic Milestone – This celebration completes 100 years of the Ol Chiki script, which was created in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu.
- Cultural Focus – The event showed how important the script is for the Santhal community and for tribal languages in India.
Significance of the Occasion
- Script Creation – Ol Chiki was made in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu to give the Santhali language its own writing system.
- Language Regions – Santhali is spoken in states like Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam and some other areas.
- Earlier Scripts – Before Ol Chiki was created, Santhali was written using Bengali, Odia and Devanagari scripts, but these scripts could not correctly show all the sounds of the language.
- Cultural Identity – In the last 100 years, Ol Chiki has become more than just letters. It has become a strong part of Santhal culture and literature.
- Constitutional Recognition – In 2003, Santhali was added to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which gave it official recognition in the country.
President Murmu’s Key Messages
- Identity Symbol – President Murmu said that Ol Chiki is a “powerful symbol” of Santhali identity.
- Community Unity – She said the script connects and unites Santhal people living in different states.
- Linguistic Diversity – She described India as a “garden of many languages” and said that saving tribal scripts is very important.
- Youth Appeal – She encouraged young people to learn, use and feel proud of their own language and script.
- Digital Expansion – She said Ol Chiki should be used more in schools, books, digital platforms and daily life.
- Global Recognition – She also mentioned that the script is slowly gaining attention outside India as well.
Commemorative Releases and Felicitations
- ₹100 Coin – A special ₹100 coin was released to celebrate 100 years of the Ol Chiki script.
- Special Stamp – A special postage stamp was also issued by the Government of India for the centenary celebration.
- Souvenir Release – A souvenir book about the Ol Chiki script and Santhali culture was released during the program.
- Contributor Honours – Ten respected people from the Santhal community were honoured for their work in promoting the script and language.
- National Platform – These steps show that the government is giving importance and recognition to tribal languages at the national level.
Linking with Broader Tribal and Linguistic Initiatives
- Jamshedpur Event – In December 2025, President Murmu also attended related Ol Chiki centenary programs in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
- Statue Tribute – During that visit, she paid respect by garlanding the statue of Raghunath Murmu.
- Organising Bodies – The event there was organized by the All India Santhali Writers’ Association and the Dishom Jaherthan Committee.
- Constitution Release – In December 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, she released the first full translation of the Constitution of India in the Santhali language written in Ol Chiki.
- Inclusive Access – This made it possible for Santhali-speaking tribal people to read and understand the country’s Constitution in their own language.
Important Questions
- On which date did President Droupadi Murmu inaugurate the 100-year celebration of the Ol Chiki script organized by the Ministry of Culture in New Delhi?
- Who was Raghunath Murmu, and in which year did he create the Ol Chiki script to give the Santhali language its own writing system?
- Why was the Ol Chiki script developed when Santhali was earlier written in Bengali, Odia, and Devanagari scripts?
- What special items, such as the ₹100 commemorative coin, special postage stamp, and souvenir book, were released during the centenary celebration?
- What historic step was taken at Rashtrapati Bhavan in December 2025 regarding the translation of the Constitution of India into the Santhali language written in Ol Chiki?
Conclusion
President Droupadi Murmu’s inauguration of the Ol Chiki Centenary Celebrations in New Delhi symbolises a century of linguistic pride, cultural affirmation, and national recognition for one of India’s most significant tribal scripts. Through commemorative initiatives, cultural honours, and renewed focus on education and digital promotion, the celebrations mark a major milestone in preserving and promoting indigenous languages across the country.
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