AGARTALA, January 19 (TIWN): The 38th Foundation Day of Kokborok language has been observed at Umakanta ground on Tuesday.

The programme was inaugurated by the Minister for Education Tapan Chakraborty in the presence of Rural Development Minister Naresh Chandra Jamatia, Minority Development Minister Sahid Choudhury and others were also present.

Kokborok has a long history of unique oral literature. The book in in Kokborok gt published in the year 1897/ 98 authorized by Doulat Ahamad a book of Kokborok grammar, namely ‘Kokborma ong Tripura- Byakaran’. Then another book has been released on Kokborok grammar that is ‘Kok-Borok-ma (Troipu Byaakaran)’ written by Thakur Radhamohan Dev Barma was published in 1900AD.

On this occasion, a rally has been organized which has initiated from the Umakanta Ground and walked all across the capital.

The State Government recognised the Kokborok as one of the official languages of the State with an enactment of Act in 1979. The eighties maybe treated as focus of movement of the Kokborok literature. Thereafter, there has been speedy flow in the Kokborok literary movement and the kokborok is now on the way to be recognized as developed language and literature.

Kokborok Day is observed in Tripura for the development of Kokborok language and practice among the people.

Every year the day is observed on January 19. Kokborok language is an official language in Tripura, with first status in the autonomous district council of the state. This day is chosen to commemorate its recognition as an official language in 1979. The activities include cultural programmes and literary activities.

The Kokborok is a language of Borok people who are geographically known as Tripuris. It is one of the State Languages of Tripura notified on January 19, 1979. The TTAADC has declared the Kokborok as official language of the TTAADC on April 20, 1999.

However, this language is the second official language of Tripura after Bengali, but is granted first status by the tribal areas autonomous district council, which has limited governing jurisdiction over three fourth of the State’s geographical area.