AIOSU begins 12 day padyatra in recognition of Santali language

Baripada, May 18 (UNI) The All India Ol-Chiki Students' Union(AIOSU) activists have commenced a 12 day padyatra demanding recognition of Santhali language as second language.

The yatra was flagged off from Rairangpur yesterday from the foot of the statue of the Santhali scholar late Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the inventor of the Santhali Ol-Chiki script.

The activists, carrying banners and placards written in Santhali language and in Ol-Chiki scripts, will traverse nearly 260 kms distance through National Highways and the state highways to reach the state capital on the eve of the Assembly session, scheduled to start on June 1 next, AIOSU sources said here today.

Union General Secretary Kaluram Murmu said the outfit will submit memorandums to the Orissa Governor, the Chief Minister and the Mass Education Minister to press the recognition of Santhali language as the second state language, formation of Santhali Language Board in Orissa and immediate appointment of Ol-Chiki trained Santhali teachers in the primary schools located at Santhal dominated areas of Mayurbhanj.

UNI