AGARTALA, Sept 9: In a landmark decision to preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Chakma community, the Tripura government has declared August 7 as Chakma Script and Language Day, to be observed annually across the state.
The announcement was made by Power and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who also serves as patron of the Advisory Committee for Chakma Language Development, after chairing a high-level meeting in Agartala. Nath said the recognition mirrors Kokborok Day, celebrated every January 19, and underlines the government’s commitment to strengthening indigenous languages.
As part of a wider language development mission, the Chakma script is also set to be included in Google Translate, providing global access and visibility. Officials confirmed that nearly 50,000 Chakma words have already been compiled for the platform, with more expected to follow.
Currently, Chakma is taught in 123 schools across Tripura from Classes 1 to 8, ensuring that younger generations can learn and preserve their mother tongue. Nath noted that while the 2011 Census recorded about 79,000 Chakma people in Tripura, current estimates suggest the population has risen to around 1.25 lakh.
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Seven sub-committees have been formed to oversee different aspects of the Chakma Language Development Mission, including plans for a national seminar on its growth. “These initiatives will not only safeguard our language but also give it global visibility and respect,” Minister Nath said.
Committee chairman Sambhu Lal Chakma and other members welcomed the measures, calling the decision historic for the Chakma community. Tripura now becomes one of the first states in the Northeast to give such recognition to the Chakma script, positioning it alongside Kokborok in cultural and academic importance.
