RECOGNITION OF BHOTI LANGUAGE FOR INCLUSION IN THE EIGHTH SCHEDULE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA Bhoti language, synonyms: Ladakhi, Bodyig, Bodhi, Zanskari, Purigi, Balti, Lahauli, Bhotia, Monpa, Tibetan. 1. Brief history of Bhoti language The history of Bhoti language and literature goes back 7th century A.D. During the rule of Tsongtsen Gampo in the land of Bhot (Tibet). At that time there was no script for Bhoti language, which was spoken in his kingdom, which was a major problem in governing the country. The king sent a few selected students including Thonmi Sambhota to India for education to Nalanda, and other major institutions. At Nalanda, they were taught Philosophy and literature by Pandit Dev Vidya Singh and other great scholars. 2. Origin of Bhoti language Sanskrit is the mother language of Bhoti. Thonmi Sambhota developed the script of “Bhoti” on the basis of Devnagri script. According to need, by making modification in vowels and thirty consonants. 3. Indianness in Bhoti language India is the origin place for both the script Devnagri and Khrosti of Gupta period. With the help of contemporary scholar particularly Pandit Dev Vidya Singh and others, Shree Thonmi Sambhota had developed Bhoti Script. He composed Bhoti Grammar on the basis of Sanskrit Grammar. Later on many books on Indian religious and Philosophy has been composed and translated into Bhoti language. Bhoti language had an intimate role in spreading Indian culture and influence through Central Asia, Tibet and Mongolia.` 4. Bhoti language – Bhot language With the expansion of this language in different regions of the world, Indian culture has also developed in the same region simultaneously, there is no doubt that the people of entire Himalayan region where it is used in writing and speaking called “Bodhi” in Ladakh and Bhoti in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh which is known as “Bod Yig” when Tibet was independent country and the lingua Franca of the local language is called Tibeti in Tibet. There is some difference in dialectics according to region but not in its script. In original form the script and grammar are based on Indian language. It is one of the regional language of India. 5. Present status of Bhoti List of State Governments who recognized “Bhoti Language” 1. Arunachal Pradesh. 2. Sikkim. 3. West Bengal. 4. Himachal Pradesh. 5. Jammu and Kashmir. 6. Study Centers of Bhoti Language: DEPARTMENTS OF BHOTI 1. Himachal Pradesh University, Simla. 2. Sampurnanand Sanskrit Universary, Varanasi. 3. Viswa Bharti Shanti Niketan University, Calcutta. 4. Delhi University. 5. Punjab University, Chandigarh. 6. Punjabi University, Chandigarh. 7. Gorakhpur University. 8. Magadh University Bodh Gaya. 9. Calcutta University. 10. Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh-Ladakh. 11. Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath. 12. Buddhist Philosophy College. 13. Central Secondary School Examination Board, Delhi. 14. J&K Secondary School Examination Board, J&K. 7. News in Bhoti language (a) All India Radio, Leh. (b) All India Radio, Simla. (c) All India Radio, Sikkim. (d) All India Radio, Khasan (e) All India Radio, Tawang ( Arunachal Pradesh). (f) All India Radio, delhi. (g) All India Radio Gangtok. (h) All India Radio, Karsang (W.B) 8. Printing Press in Bhoti Language: (a) Ratna Printing Press. (b) Shivam Printing Press. (c) Bhojpuri printing Press. (d) Lizent Printing Press. (e) Sikkim Govt. Printing press. (f) Jayed printing Press. (g) Zunkhul Parkhang Printing press. (h) Satnam Printing Press Varanasi. (i) Micro Mint India (P) Ltd. Dehradun. (j) Type Writers & Computer fonts are also available in Bhoti language. (k) Many ancient hand made block print systems are still in vogue in many centres. 9. Libraries: (a) Jayaswal Library, Patna. (b) Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Ladakh. (c) Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath. (d) Saraswati Library Delhi. (e) Sampurnand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. (f) Kashi Hindu University, Varanasi. (g) Namgyal Institute Gangtok, Sikkim. (h) Shanti Niketan University Calcutta. (i) 7000 Libraries in various monasteries of Himalayan region. 10. News papers and Magazines: (a) Maitri Dhoot (b) Ten-Del-Sargyur, Leh. (c) Rigpa Dudtsi Leh. (d) Par-Gyas-God-Phule leh. (e) Sikkim Chamata Sikkim. (f) Kunsal Sikkim. (g) Denzong Zamata Sikkim. (h) Himalaya Darpan, Delhi. (i) Himalayan Voice, Delhi. (j) Ladaks Sargyur. (k) Ladaks Melong. (l) Ladaks Phonya. (m) Yontan, Ladakh. (n) Mutik Chhunpo Dharamsala. (o) Shescha Dharamsala. (p) Yargyas Kongfel Leh. (q) Himalayai Gnada Ladakh. (r) Shes-rab-zom Ladakh. (s) Lokhor gyi Deb Ladakh. (t) Singe Khababs, Ladakh. 11. The Bhoti language is the main language of the people of the Himalayan region from Ladakh to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Bhoti language is the link and cultural language of Zanskar, Ladakh, Paddar, Pangi J&K, Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, Kullu, Manali, Kumaon, Pithoragarh, Nanital, Uttar Kashi (Uttaranchal), Sikkim, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Siliguri, Tawang, West Kameng, Upper Siyang, Upper Sababarasari, East Silyang (Arunachal Pradesh) Shillong and adjoining areas. At the International level also the Bhoti language has been used in classical form for speaking and writing in Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, Tibet, Russian region of Baikal lake area, northern area of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (Skardu, Baltistan) and Central Asia. Bhoti language is also used in central Asian countries. It has immense influence on the lives of the people of Himalayan region and that is its cultural lifeline. 12. In Himalayan regions from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, most of the Government and Non-governmental schools provides education in Bhoti as compulsory subject. Besides, 7000 monasteries in Himalayan region follow their courses in Bhoti language. Population of Bhoti speaking as mother tongue and its region: State Region Population Arunachal Pradesh Tawang, West Kameng 4,50,000 Upper Siyang, Upper Sabbarasari, East Silyang Sikkim All Region 5,75,000 Meghalaya Shilong & adjoining areas 75,000 West Bengal Darjeeling, Kalimpong, And Salugara, Jalpaiguri 5,80,000 Uttarkhand Kamanun, Pithoragarh, Uttar Kashi, Nainital, Dehradun 1,25,000 Himachal Pradesh Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, Pangi, Kullu, Manali & its nearest areas. 3,80,000 Jammu and Kashmir All Ladakh region, Paddar (Jammu) 4,50,000 Other regions India 2,75,000 ________________________________________________________________ Total Bhoti Speaking population: 29,10,000 13. Prosperity in Literature: There are 35 to 40 thousand material available in Bhoti regarding religion, philosophy, art, science, astrology, Ayurveda, grammar etc. The most important text Kagyur (Tripitaka) and Tangyur are available in Bhoti language only although originally it was translated from Sanskrit. There were 4502 original texts in Sanskrit, which is not available now. Thus the Bhoti is a very rich language. Besides Buddhist literature, the translation of Khad philosophy, Meghdoot, Kumar Sambhav, Quran Sharif, Bible etc. are also available in Bhoti language. 14. Publications: We can divide the published books in Bhoti language into two parts. First, handwritten ancient literature and second modern publication including reports of seminars, Kavi Ghosti, translations, news papers, magazines and book publish of universities standard in different forms of literature. There is big market for its publication at National and international level. The Indian Buddhist Philosophy, logic, astrology, Ayurveda, grammar, drama, poetry, astronomy, music, science, mathematics, tantric, yoga etc are well preserved in Bhoti language since 7th century. 15. Movement for Recognition of Bhoti Language The Bhoti language is an ancient heritage language which involved the transmission of a vast body of cultural religious texts through the generations and it is the eternal mother tongue of millions, the real source of contemporary speech forms are found under differentiated names, which is understandable considering the vast and difficult geographical area and the history of so many centuries. The pan-ethnic movement for its recognition spearheaded by various organizations, predominantly Buddhist bodies in different states across the Himalayan belt, has a succeeded in stirring a sense of collective identity and in drawing support from the chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh as well as members of Parliaments of these regions cutting across party lines. Since the origin of the movement for recognition of Bhoti language way back to 1975, a number of memoranda on the issue have been submitted from the times of President Giani Zail Singh to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and Prime Ministers including Shri Rajiv Gandhi, and subsequent prime Ministers including Dr. Manmohan Singh. To conclude let us sum up the facts about Bhoti language which make a strong case for it to be recommended for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India as follows: - • Bhoti is a language with a long literary tradition and a most valued script of Indic Origin. • Bhoti is the store house of a vast body of literature which can match if not excel the literatures of some scheduled languages, with some highly valued translations of Sanskrit texts that were lost/destroyed over the centuries but are preserved in these Bhoti versions. • Bhoti is the high prestigious variety in diglossic situations which can justifiably be called as a language with classic touch. • Bhoti is used over vast territory, the entire Himalayan belt from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, including Bhutan and parts of Nepal. • Bhoti is the cultural language of all Buddhist tribes of the region who takes special care of manuscripts in their monasteries. • Bhoti has been traditionally taught for centuries primarily in the monasteries but now also in schools. • Bhoti is the symbol of unity in diversity and performs the role of lingua franca for all concerned communities. • Bhoti offers a unique language of an earlier form of ancestor language from which various varieties have diversified. • Bhoti provides a most unique opportunity to link several tribal languages of the region with a great written tradition. • Bhoti offers lexical resources that can aid the modernization of languages like Ladakhi or Bhuta, and can perform for the Bodyig branch of Indo-Burmese the role Sanskrit have admirably performed for several Indian languages. • Bhoti would reaffirm the symbolic order of a diverse pluralistic nation whose many components are in dynamic exchange. • And finally, it would be a fitting tribute to our ancestors in the wisdom of India, that labored in unison with the ingenuity of Tibetan scholars for centuries to commence a partnership of universal value and translation of culture in Bhoti. • It will be politically sound to reassert the Indian position on the Trans-Himalayan region on which the Chinese are staking their claim, with ethnicity, language and culture as the points in their favour.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 13:24:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015