May 12th 2025.
In Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, there was an exciting announcement made on Monday by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. He declared that the state would be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the invention of the 'Ol Chiki' script, used for writing the Santali language. This celebration would span over a year and take place all across the state.
The announcement was made during a special event held in Mahuldiha village in Rairangpur, located in the Mayurbhanj district. The event was organized to commemorate not only the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script but also the 120th birth anniversary of its inventor, Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu. During his address, CM Majhi spoke highly of Pandit Murmu, calling him not just an individual but a movement, a consciousness, and a visionary of art and culture.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of the Ol Chiki script, stating that it is not just a literary invention but also a recognition of the language, culture, and identity of the indigenous community. He added that Murmu's invention was a significant milestone in the development of their culture. Majhi also praised Pandit Murmu for not only imparting knowledge and education but also for revealing the inner values of the land. He stressed the significance of language, which goes beyond being a mere medium of communication, representing one's identity, existence, and expression. He believed that societies that take pride in their language naturally progress, and the Ol Chiki script is a symbol of that pride. It brings the community together through education, solidarity, and culture.
The Chief Minister assured the state's commitment to the development of the Santali language through various initiatives such as primary education, textbook preparation, teacher training, and linguistic research. He also mentioned that Odisha has integrated Pandit Murmu's name into its educational and cultural policies, honoring his contributions.
To promote and propagate the Santali language, the Chief Minister announced that an international seminar would be organized. In addition, he declared that an 'Ol Chiki' library would be established in Baripada, making all of Pandit Murmu's books accessible to the public. He also revealed plans for the construction of a Pandit Raghunath Murmu Open Theatre-Museum and a heritage building at his workplace, as a tribute to the inventor.
Furthermore, Majhi announced that Pandit Murmu's ancestral residence in Dandbose would be developed as a Memorial Pilgrimage Site and allocated a special package of Rs 50 crore for this purpose. He concluded his speech by expressing his hope that future generations would continue to uphold Pandit Murmu's values, knowledge, and love for culture, and called for mutual respect and harmony among languages, faiths, and cultures.
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