Golay announces fellowship for Ph D course in Sikkimese language and literature -include Bhutia, Lepcha and Limboo languages in the Eighth Schedule

DICHEN ONGMU, EOI,  GANGTOK, NOVEMBER 26, 2021 : On the occasion of Sikkim Sahitya Utsav 2021 Sikkim Chief Minister P.S. Golay on Friday announced Appatan fellowship programmes. 

Fellows will undertake PhD in any Sikkimese language and literature. The State government will bear the entire cost. He further announced support to Sikkim Akademi in promoting and protecting Sikkimese language, literature, culture and tradition. 

“We will March towards including Bhutia, Lepcha and Limboo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. We also present State level awards to these languages to encourage the communities to read, write and work for the betterment of their languages,” said Golay. 

Sikkim would host a literary festival annually where laureates from different communities of Sikkim and neighbouring regions would be invited to share their literary works, he further said. 

“The State government is ever ready to provide financial assistance to the Sikkimese poets and writers who are willing to write but is unable to publish it,” said Golay. 

He mentioned how the former government had constituted the Directorate of Language Board. The present government would now pass a Bill in the State Legislative Assembly and make it a full-fledged board and protect the languages of Many communities. 

Golay congratulated Hamro Varta TV on completing two successful years and for organising an intellectual event in the presence of renowned poets, authors and laureates. 

“Alongside modernisation we are now slowly realising the importance of our literature, language and tradition. We can witness ourselves heading back to our roots and village life despite having all the comfort in towns and cities,” said Golay. 

Recalling his college days and importance of reading books and newspapers, Golay stressed: “We should respect, value and acknowledge the hard work of the writers and poets by reading them.” 

 He recalled how he wrote a poem expressing his feelings and thoughts while he was sent to prison. 

“We don’t value our literature and language while we are here but once we step out from our comfort zones that is when we miss it. Hence, we should all be aware and promote our language, culture and tradition.” 

He highlighted how the State government has decided to celebrate August 20 as Bhasa Manyata Diwas and introduce Nar Bahadur PhD fellowship scheme where PhD scholars would get Rs 50 lakh assistance in one subject and Chief Minister’s fellowship scheme under which 100 students after graduation would get Rs 10, 000 to undergo internship in any government department of their choice for a year.