"Padma Awardee Naresh Chandra Debbarma Preserves Kokborok Heritage, Paving the Way for Tripura's Official Language Status"

Naresh Chandra Debbarma Honored with Padma Shri for Lifelong Dedication to Tribal Language

In a remarkable recognition of his unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the tribal language of Kokborok, Naresh Chandra Debbarma has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri. With over five decades of dedicated research, Debbarma's contributions to the grammar, history, and evolution of Kokborok have been hailed as invaluable.

Debbarma, a self-taught scholar, delved into the depths of Kokborok long before it attained official status as Tripura's language. Since 1972, he has been actively involved in writing and advocating for the tribal language, even before it was officially recognized in 1979. His extensive body of work encompasses various aspects of Kokborok, ranging from its history to its usage.

Born in Lembuthal village in Tripura's Sipahijala district, Debbarma's journey towards becoming a language luminary was not without challenges. Despite starting his higher education in science, financial constraints led him to drop out. However, he persevered and embarked on a career in public service, retiring in 2002 as the Tripura Legislative Assembly's first Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

Alongside his professional responsibilities, Debbarma devoted himself to mastering Kokborok and has authored an impressive 34 books in Kokborok, Bengali, and English. His first book, "Jorani Makhang (The Face of Time)," was published in 2003, marking the begiing of an illustrious post-retirement literary career.

Debbarma emphasizes the importance of quality research in ensuring the growth and evolution of languages. While acknowledging the significance of literature, he underscores the need for substantial research works to propel Kokborok's development. He advocates for an increase in research publications in the language to uplift its status and preserve its rich heritage.

The debate over scripts for Kokborok has been ongoing, with various factions advocating for different writing systems. While acknowledging the significance of scripts, Debbarma stresses that the focus should be on nurturing scholarly endeavors to safeguard the language's future.

As debates on scripts continue, Debbarma remains steadfast in his belief that scholarly pursuits are paramount for Kokborok's survival and advancement. His dedication to the language serves as a beacon of inspiration for language enthusiasts and scholars alike.

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