Bodo language

Context: Bodo language is one of the key thrust areas in the Bodo Accord which was signed recently.

Bodo language- Key facts:

1. Estimated to have 1.5 million speakers (Census 2011), Bodo is listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
2. It is spoken in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
3. While Bodo is officially written in the Devanagri script, the language has a history of having been written in at least three different scripts — until in 1974, the Government recognised Devanagari as its official script. In the first decade of the 20th century, Bodos started writing in the Assamese/Bangla script. Then they also used Roman Script.
4. In the pre-13th century era, it was called Deodhai.

Promises in the accord regarding Bodo language:

1. It was only in 2003, under the then Bodo Accord, that the language was listed in the Eighth Schedule. And it was the first tribal language to be included in the Eight Schedule.
2. In Assam, it has enjoyed the status of official associate language in undivided Goalpara district since 1986.
3. Now the 2020 Accord makes Bodo the associate official language throughout Assam.
4. The new Accord also promises to establish a separate directorate for Bodo medium schools, provincialise schools and colleges in the BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District) and establish a Cultural Complex-cum-Centre of Excellence in Kokrajhar for protection and promotion of the language.

Sources: Indian Express.