Sarala (Tribhasi) Bhasha Sikshyana Pustika (Bhatri-Desia)

Abstract

Odisha occupies a special place in India due to its vast population of tribals residing in the state. 62 tribal communities live in Odisha which is 22.8% of the total population of Odisha. According to the 2011 census the Odisha tribal population is 95,90,765. Odisha's tribal language is divided into 3 main language families. They are Austro-Asiatic (Munda), Dravida and Indo-Aryan. Every tribe has its own language and language family. Each clan has a different dialect although speaking the same language. 21 languages and 74 dialects are in use. The languages are Austro-Asiatic:- Bhumij, Birhor, Rem (Bonda), Gatah (Didyai), Gutab (Gadaba), Sora(Saora), Gorum (Parenga), Khadia, Juang, Santali, Ho, Mundari, etc Dravid:- Gondi, Kui-Kondh, Kuvi-Kondh, Kisan, Koya, Olari, (Gadaba) Parja, Peng, Kudukh (Oraon) etc. Indo Aryan:- Bathudi, Bhuyan, Kurmali, Sounti, Sadri, Kandhan, Aghria, Desia, Jharia, Halbi, Bhatri, Matia, Bhunjia, etc. Out of these languages only 7 have script. They are Santali (Olchiki), Saora( Sorang Sampeng), Ho (Warangchiti), Kui (Kui Script), Oraon (Kukhud Tod), Mundari (Bani Hisir), Bhumij (Bhumij Anl). Books have been published in Santali Ho and Saora. For other tribal languages books have been published in Roman, Devnagri, Binga, Telugu and Odia scripts. Santali language has been included in the 8th Schedule of the constitution. Tribals generally use a third language for interacting with other tribes or groups. Odia is the official language of Odisha. It is used from the primary level at the educational institutions to the administrative level of the government. The tribals face a lot of difficulties as they are not habituated with the Odia language. They are also facing problems in understanding the development policies of the government. As a result, the government policies fail at the ground during implementation. To overcome this the government is trying hard to train ground level officers and teachers, posted in tribal areas, learn the tribal language. This will result in better communication with the tribals leading to better implementation of government development schemes. So this simple Odia-English-Bhatri book was thought of, realizing the relevance of language education. This book incorporates various simple sentences that are used in daily communication while performing various activities. This would definitely help the employees working on the field to communicate better with the tribals and enhance a sense of trust amongst them.