Latehar SP urges youth to preserve and promote Nagpuri language
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, October 17: Latehar Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav has called upon young people to preserve and promote…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, October 17: Latehar Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav has called upon young people to preserve and promote Nagpuri, emphasising that the language’s future depends on its continued use and the emotional connection people maintain with their mother tongue.
Gaurav made the remarks while attending the annual Nahan Jayanti and felicitation ceremony organised by the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Latehar, on Friday to commemorate the literary contributions of renowned Nagpuri writer Sahni Upendra Pal Singh, popularly known by his pen name, Nahan.
While police officials across the state were busy preparing traffic and crowd-management plans for Durga Puja, the Latehar SP took time to appreciate the richness of Nagpuri literature and folklore.
Nagpuri Has a Bright Future, Says SP
Speaking to this correspondent late Friday night, Gaurav said his participation in the celebration had brought him closer to the nuances of the language.
“I feel that participating in this grand Nahan Jayanti celebration in honour of the renowned litterateur Sahni Upendra Pal Singh has brought me much closer to the nuances of Nagpuri. I feel enlightened and enriched by the language’s diverse appeal,” he said.
Asked about the growing demand for Nagpuri’s inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution amid debates over languages in Jharkhand, Gaurav expressed optimism about its future.
“The future of Nagpuri is bright. The language is vibrant and dynamic. It is expressive and evocative,” he said.
He observed that while legislative recognition could support a language, its long-term growth depended on people’s attachment to it and their willingness to use it in everyday life.
“Legislation can help, but it cannot, by itself, make a language grow and flourish. A language thrives on people’s sentiments and their continued use of it,” Gaurav said.
Youth Urged to Stay Rooted in Mother Tongue
The SP stressed that young people should acquire proficiency in English, Hindi and computer science while remaining connected to the language spoken at home.
“The younger generation must gain proficiency in English, Hindi and computer science. At the same time, it is equally important for them to remain connected to and rooted in Nagpuri, the language of their home and hearth,” he said.
Gaurav attended the programme as the chief guest, listening to discussions on Nagpuri’s literary heritage and sharing his views on the importance of preserving the language.
Nahan Remembered for Contribution to Nagpuri Literature
The annual Nahan Jayanti, observed on October 16, celebrates the literary achievements of Sahni Upendra Pal Singh, whose pen name was Nahan.
Shankar Nayak, a Nagpuri language and literature teacher at the upgraded Plus Two High School in Herhhunj, highlighted the writer’s contribution, particularly his translation of the Ramcharitmanas into Nagpuri.
“Nahan translated the holy text Ramcharitmanas into Nagpuri. He was a true doyen of the language,” Nayak said.
The ceremony was organised by DIET, Latehar, with the objective of protecting, preserving and promoting Nagpuri and its rich folk traditions.
Nagpuri Has a Strong Presence in Western Jharkhand
Nagpuri is widely spoken in western Jharkhand and draws on vocabulary from other languages, a characteristic that contributes to its broad appeal.
According to the information cited by the organisers, the 2011 Census and the Linguistic Survey of India describe Nagpuri as the most widely spoken language in the western part of the state.
Nayak said the upgraded Plus Two High School in Herhhunj has around 1,000 students in Classes 9 to 12 who study Nagpuri as a subject.
The programme highlighted the importance of sustaining the language through education, literature, folklore and everyday use, particularly among younger generations.
