The Chakma community in Tripura is poised to receive increased recognition as the state government takes steps to preserve and promote the language. One of the most significant initiatives is the inclusion of the Chakma script in Google Translation, a move that is expected to enhance accessibility to the language on a global scale.
Power and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who is also the patron of the advisory committee for Chakma language development, announced these decisions following a meeting of the committee. Nath revealed that seven sub-committees have been established to concentrate on different aspects of language development. He highlighted the importance of the decision to incorporate the Chakma script into the Google Translation platform, with approximately 50,000 words already compiled and efforts underway to expand this database.
Furthermore, the committee agreed to host a national seminar and formally observe Chakma Script and Language Day annually on August 7, mirroring the celebration of Kokborok Day on January 19. Nath disclosed that while the 2011 Census recorded 79,000 Chakma residents in Tripura, recent estimates suggest that the population has since increased to around 1.25 lakh. He emphasized that Tripura is home to eight indigenous communities and that the Directorate of Kokborok and Other Minority Languages was established to support their linguistic development.
Currently, Chakma language is taught in 123 schools across the state from Classes 1 to 8. Nath confirmed that, akin to the celebration of Kokborok Day, Tripura will now commemorate Chakma Script and Language Day every year on August 7.
The meeting was attended by advisory committee chairman Sambhu Lal Chakma and other members, underscoring the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting the rich linguistic heritage of the Chakma community in Tripura.
