Gorkha community of Kohima celebrated the 32nd Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas (Nepali Language Recognition Day) under the aegis of Gorkha Public Panchayat Kohima (GPPK) at its Multi-Utility Hall, Chandmari on August 20.
The event was graced by chairman of Tsütuonuomia Khel of Kohima Village, K. Neibou Sekhose as special guest.
In a press release, president of Gorkha Youth Association Kohima, Narayan Bahadur informed that the special guest in his speech advised the community to be proud for getting the Nepali language included in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India.
He encouraged the T Khel Gorkhas to learn Tenyidie and continue to make the age-old relationship stronger and dearer.
Neibou said as per the record, Jasbir Khawas came from Nepal and settled at Chandmari in 1872 (151 yrs) and all these years T. Khel & Nepali have cordially maintained the relation and has been growing stronger, closer and developed better understanding.
GPPK advisor Ranjit Lama highlighted the significance of the day saying it was a proud day for the 10 million Indian Nepali speaking citizens for inclusion of Nepali language in the 8th schedule of Indian Constitution on August 20, 1992.
Since 1992, August 20 has become a historic day for Nepali speaking Indian citizens as the decade long struggle for recognition of mother-tongue became a reality, and for which Indian Nepali people celebrate the day with great pomp and splendour as “Bhasa Manyata Diwas” every year, he said.
The first official demand for recognition was made on January 18, 1956 by Anand Singh Thapa, Veer Singh Bhandari and Narendra Singh Rana on behalf of a quarterly magazine, the Jagrat Gorkha from Dehradun, he said.
Earlier, the programme chaired by GSUK vice president Jenny Lamechane Chettri began with a lighting of lamp by the guests and dignitaries.
GPPK general secretary Suresh Kumar Lama delivered the welcome address and GPPK president Santu Thapa delivered the closing remarks. Special song by Pfurba Lama and dance by Rohan Sunar and Manisha Sonar were the highlights of the celebration.
