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Chamling demands Nepali optional for UPSC

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has said he would request the centre government and its ministries to include Nepali language in different national level competitive examination and also include Nepali language as optional in the UPSC examinations. Speaking on the occasion of a Nepali Bhasha Manyata Diwas(Nepali language recognition day) celebration at Gayzing on 20th August Chamling said Nepali language was included under 8th schedule of the Indian constitution on 20 August 1992 but much has not been done for the development of the language by the centre. The chief minister also announced appointment of Nepali language teachers for state run schools from the next academic session. Talking further about his government’s concern for the language, Chamling appreciated the relentless efforts and contributions of former MP Dil Kumari Bhandari, former CM Nar Bahadur Bhandari and Anand Mani Singh in the field of protection, preservation and advancement of Nepali language and called upon the people to shoulder a collective social responsibility to preserve their language. Chamling urged the youth to come forward to protect their language and culture in society. He assured full support in fulfilling the demands placed by the people and pledged to work towards the development of Geyzing and the adjoining areas. The organizers also felicitated Man Bahadur Pradhan, B.B Muringla, Bhawani Gautam, Dilliram Sharma,Bhuwan Dhakal, Narayan Sharma and Tek Bahadur Sanyasi. The Nepali Sahitya Parishad (NSP) and Sikkim University (SU) organized a similar function to mark the language day at Sikkim Government College auditorium in the capital.

“70% of Sikkim’s population comprises of Gorkhas yet the State cannot address the identity issue of the Gorkhas. Only Gorkhaland can resolve this identity crisis and provide political security for the Gorkhas”

In Darjeeling, Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) also felicitated former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari on the occasion and gave a clarion call for unity amidst the Gorkhas in order to achieve Gorkhaland. Addressing a gathering at the Gorkha Ranga Mancha in Darjeeling on the occasion of “Bhasha Manyata Diwas” on this day in 1992 the Constitution, (71st Amendment Bill to incorporate Nepali in the 8th Schedule, was passed by Parliament – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), Bhandari stated “22 years ago this could be attained owing to our unity. Gorkhas living across the country came together in demand of the inclusion of the Nepali language in the 8th Schedule. We have to adopt a similar approach for Gorkhaland. A separate state is the panacea for the Gorkhas.” Bhandari as the Chief Minister of Sikkim and president of Bharatiya Nepali Rastriya Parishad had played a pro-active role for the inclusion of the Nepali language in the 8th Schedule. In his possession are all documents since the demand for the inclusion of Nepali language was first raised in 1956 till the inclusion in the 8th Schedule on 31 August 1992.

“Nepali language was included under 8th schedule of the Indian constitution on 20 August 1992 but much not has been done for the development of the language by the centre"

The Department of Information and Culture, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has decided to publish a book which will contain the important documents in Bhandari’s possession relating to the language demand. The youth wing of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) had organized the commemoration and had invited Bhandari. GJM President Bimal Gurung was also present on the occasion. “70% of Sikkim’s population comprises of Gorkhas yet the State cannot address the identity issue of the Gorkhas. Only Gorkhaland can resolve this identity crisis and provide political security for the Gorkhas” stated Gurung. Gurung alleged that though 22 years ago Nepali was given due recognition there has hardly been any implementation. “Working in this direction GTA will strive to promote and implement Nepali language as the official language of the GTA” added Gurung who is also the GTA Chief Executive member. On the occasion eminent Nepali literary names IB Rai and Laxmi Kalikotey were felicitated.

Anoop Rai

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