Delhi University to introduce Bodo Modern Indian Language this year

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The efforts of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) and Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) for the growth and promotion of the Bodo language received a boost today when Delhi University (DU) authorities assured a joint delegation of the ABSU and the BSS that DU would introduce Bodo MIL (Modern Indian Language) under Ability Enhancing Course (EAC) from this year.

A joint delegation of ABSU and BSS visited the Faculty of Arts and Department of Modern Indian Languages and Literary Studies, DU today. The team comprised BSS president Dr Surath Narzary, ABSU president Dipen Boro, ABSU adviser Kungkhra Swargiary, BSS secretary Kameswar Boro, ABSU vice-president Kwrwmdao Wary, and ABSU general secretary Khanindra Basumatary. The team met Prof Amitava Chakraborty, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Head of the Department of MIL and Literary Studies, and Dr Mitali Barman, Assistant Professor, Department of MIL and Literary Studies. The delegation submitted a memorandum demanding the introduction of Bodo Department in Delhi University under the Department of MIL and Literary Studies.

In the memorandum, it was stated that the Bodo language is one of the recognized languages among the 22 languages of India under Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution. Bodo medium was introduced in Assam in 1963 in lower primary schools and now Class X, Class XI and Class XII will start from this year. Bodo subject has already been introduced in various degree colleges of Assam and Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) as MIL Elective and Major at the undergraduate level. Simultaneously, Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University, Cotton University, Bodoland University and Assam University are offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in colleges and have separate departments in the respective universities.

The memorandum further stated that a sizeable number of students get admission in Delhi University every year and other universities in Delhi. The students who are studying under Delhi University express their interest to take Bodo as MIL and elective subjects but due to lack of scope, they are deprived of doing so. The delegation said that keeping in mind the aspirations of the students and to uplift the Bodo language and literature at the national level, it is necessary to introduce Bodo Department under the Department of Modern Indian Language and Literary Studies of Delhi University.

The delegation informed that Prof Amitava Chakraborty, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Head of the Department of MIL and Literary Studies, assured to start Bodo MIL under Ability Enhancement Course (AEC) this year under the Department of MIL and Literary Studies. It was proposed that guest faculty should be appointed for teaching Bodo at DU. For the creation of a permanent post, it was decided that DU will approach the government and ABSU and BSS will also appeal to the Union Education Minister.

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