Government Notifications to Be Issued in Bodo Language, Announces Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during a formal event on Sunday, announced that all government notifications would be translated into the Bodo language in the 13 districts of Assam inhabited by the Bodo community. This decision was made in response to a long-standing demand by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and is aimed at promoting inclusivity and linguistic recognition of the Bodo people. The declaration was made during the inauguration of ‘Bodoland Speaks: From Vision to Action’, an initiative launched under the Bodoland Happiness Mission by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

The Chief Minister emphasized that the decision to implement Bodo translations in official communications reflects the government’s commitment to cultural preservation and empowerment of tribal communities. He acknowledged the ABSU’s role in voicing the aspirations of the Bodo people and assured that the government would implement this policy earnestly across all relevant departments and administrative levels within Bodo-majority regions.

As part of the ceremony, CM Sarma also conferred the Bodoland Lifetime Achievers Award on 18 eminent personalities for their remarkable contributions to the promotion and preservation of folk culture in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). These individuals were recognized for their efforts in enriching the cultural landscape of the region, helping preserve traditional art forms, literature, music, and social values.

The Chief Minister praised the Bodoland Happiness Mission as an innovative and timely initiative, aimed at consolidating the peace and development that the BTR has witnessed over the past five years. He remarked that this mission is reflective of a broader effort to create sustainable growth, happiness, and stability within tribal societies and serves as a model for peaceful coexistence and prosperity.

Sarma then highlighted the historical context of unrest in Bodoland, where decades of political instability and demands for self-determination once created a climate of fear and agitation. According to the Chief Minister, these challenges had led to tension and mistrust among the various communities living in the region. However, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership since 2014 for ushering in a new era of peace and reconciliation in the region.

A turning point came in 2020, when a tripartite peace accord was signed between the state government, the central government, and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). This agreement led to a significant reduction in violence and paved the way for meaningful development, governance, and the integration of former insurgents into society.

CM Sarma stressed that maintaining peace in the BTR is a collective responsibility. He praised the efforts of the Bodo community and the 26 tribal communities residing in the region for their role in nurturing peace. He added that this harmony has the potential to transform the BTR into an economic powerhouse, leveraging its cultural richness, human resources, and strategic geographic location.

In closing, Sarma reaffirmed the government’s dedication to inclusive governance, cultural respect, and continued peace-building in the region as the foundation for long-term prosperity.