TURA: In a bid to restore the lost glory of the ancient Koch language, the Koch Krorang Mathop (Koch Sahitya Sabha), the literary wing of the Koches of Meghalaya has decided to introduce a proficiency course in Koch language to all interested public to enable each individual to read, write and speak the Koch dialect.
Addressing the 30th foundation day celebration of the Koch Krorang Mathop held at Patijhora, in South-West Garo Hills, Upen Hari Koch, a leading literary figure amongst the Koches stated that it is a matter of great pride that the Koches of Garo hills have been able to preserve the ancient Tibeto-Burman Koch dialect in its pristine purity in spite of the massive sanskritization during the early 19th century. It was now essential to propagate the same amongst the masses he added.
Earlier, Adviser of KKM, Umendra Koch recalled the early days of the KKM and stressed that the new generation has to shoulder the responsibility of carrying the rich legacy of the Koch language forward.
A resolution to move the government to consider introduction of Koch dialect at select primary schools was also adopted at the meet.
It is worth mentioning that the Koch Krorang Mathop, Meghalaya in spite of several constraints has been at the forefront in reviving the lost glory of the ancient Koch language through various publications including of late, an English-Koch dictionary compiled by Alexander Kondakov, a Russian linguist.
Bipra Mohan Koch, Dharmeswar Koch, adviser, KKM, Nripendra Koch, MDC, GHADC, Umendra Koch, adviser, KKM, Bibekananda Koch, vice-president, KKM and Dhiraj Banai, Secretary, KKM were amongst others who spoke on the occasion.