Digboi: The 35th Nepali Language Recognition Day was observed at Digboi in Assam with a programme highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting the Nepali language, literature and cultural heritage. The event was held at the auditorium of Sri Sri Nepali Bishnu Mandir and jointly organised by the Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha and Sri Sri Nepali Bishnu Mandir Samity. Litterateurs, educationists, community leaders and representatives of various Nepali and Gorkha organisations attended the programme.
A major highlight was the unveiling of the “Madhyamik Nepali Shabdakosh” (Secondary Nepali Dictionary), published by the Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha and edited by noted litterateur and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Yuddhabir Rana. The dictionary was unveiled by Tikaram Chhetri, an Assam State and National Teacher Award recipient and founder-headmaster of Hahakati Higher Secondary School. The dictionary had earlier been launched nationally in Sikkim on July 13 by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang during the 212th Bhanu Jayanti celebrations.
The programme also witnessed the release of “Sangharshka Goretabaru (Smritikatha),” a memoir authored by Ratna Bahadur Chhetri, vice-president of the Sri Sri Nepali Bishnu Mandir Samity. Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha central vice-president Lokanath Newar attended the event as chief guest, while several community and literary figures participated in the programme. Nepali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 1992, and August 20 is observed annually as Nepali Language Recognition Day. The celebration in Digboi also featured songs and traditional dance performances, underscoring the community’s continuing efforts to preserve its linguistic and cultural identity for future generations.
