By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Lack of responsibility and understanding among the Khasis to uplift the Khasi language to another level are infact the main obstacles which led to the exclusion of the language from the 8th Schedule, lamented Principal of St Edmund’s College, S Lamare.
Elaborating on these reasons at the one-day seminar on “Ka Jingroi Jingsan Jong Ka Ktien Khasi, Ka Kyntiew Ia Ka Kyrdan Jong Ka Jaitbynriew Ha Khmat Ka Pyrthei” organised by the Khasi Authors’ Society at Don Bosco Youth Centre here on Saturday, Lamare lamented over the few reasons like the less number of Khasi books in other languages even in English which has created an obstacle in the effort to get the Khasi Language included in the 8th Schedule.
“The insertion of our language in the 8th Schedule is our right and if it enters, job opportunities will also open up and our language will not only be restricted to the state”, said Lamare while adding that they will soon write to the central government of the standard of the Khasi literature even though it is not as old as the other literatures in the country.
Meanwhile, delivering the inaugural address, Meghalaya Chief Secretary WMS Pariat informed that in 2005, the state government had declared Khasi language as an associate language but it is not in the capacity of the state government to forcefully insert the language in the 8th Schedule.
“We will sort out solutions to these problems and not let the hardwork and efforts of the concerned individuals go wasted”, said Pariat.He also informed that there are around 2000 languages in the world where only 1000 of them are actually spoken and according to linguistics, every two weeks, there are some languages in some parts of the world which are erased and forgotten. “But according to the census and recent statistics, I am happy to learn that our language is growing and progressing fast as evident from today’s event as we can see the hall packed with young students enthusiastic to learn more about the language”, stated the Chief Secretary.
He further said that literature is co-related with culture saying that language is more than just mere means and obligations as it influences our culture and thoughts.
“Literature reflects our culture as it requires one to learn the culture when he/she learns a lauguage”, he added. He hoped that the seminar will open up thoughts and eagerness to strive towards enrinching the Khasi language, the local tribes and society as a whole.