SHILLONG, APR 29: The Khasi Authors Society (KAS) on Tuesday welcomed the recent Cabinet’s decision to make Khasi an official language of Meghalaya, calling it a “progressive move” but stressed that implementation must go “beyond symbolic.”
“We thank the state government through its cabinet to make Khasi and official language of the state is welcome and progressive move on the part of the government,” KAS president Dr DRL Nonglait told reporters.
He noted that recognition came decades after statehood.
“We appreciate the government for fulfilling the long standing demand, it is of course long awaited demand, it is only after 54 years since the bifurcation of Meghalaya from Assam, that Khasi has been recognised as one of the official language of the state,” he said.
“So we appreciate the step taken by the government but the significant of making Khasi language lies in the fact that it has to be implemented both in letter and spirit. It has to go beyond symbolic,” Dr Nonglait added.
The KAS president said the society should be part of the process to frame implementation rules.
“Therefore in our discussion with chief minister and deputy chief minister we made it clear that while framing the rules for its implementation, the Khasi Authors Society has to be involve because we have the expertise and also people who can contributed in its implementation in very effective manner,” he said.
“Once the ordinance has rectified by the state legislative Assembly, the government should start framing the rules and it has to see that for official use in administration, there should be a policy where all government department should use Khasi in a issuing notifications, orders and correspondences,” he said.
On education, Dr Nonglait said Khasi’s use should be expanded in phases.
“When we consider the field of education, the department should take it very seriously as it is of now Khasi has been a medium of instruction and examination only up to class V, which means up to primary,” he said.
“Our aspiration is that Khasi should be extended in the first phase up to class VIII, and if it is implemented in phase manner, at the second phase the government may plan to extend the use of Khasi as medium of instruction and medium of examination up to secondary and higher secondary level.”
He added that higher education should be the long-term goal.
“It can be implemented in phase manner and in due course of time, it is even possible to use Khasi as medium up to degree level, like it is done or practice in other state, for example in Assam, Assamese and English are both medium of instruction and examination so also in Meghalaya.”
“It may take time but then it is possible that Khasi can be extend and can be use as medium of examination even to degree level,” Dr Nonglait said.
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