Lok Sabha Question No. 3 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-11-29
Subject: Preservation of Saura Tribe and their Language
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.11.2021

## PRESERVATION OF SAURA TRIBE AND THEIR LANGUAGE

## 3. SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the Saura (Sabar) tribe from the Gajapati and Koraput districts of Odisha and their script Sora Sompeng;
- (b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to save the Saura language from the threat of extinction which will be detrimental for their distinct ethnic identity;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the children of the above-mentioned community are forced to drop out of school as they are unable to understand Odia and other languages in which being taught, if so the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (e) whether the Government is planning to officially recognise the Saura (Sabar) language by including it in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

- (a): Saura is one of the primitive tribe with sizeable population in Gajapati and Rayagada (which was part of the undivided Koraput district) districts in Odisha.  Pandit Mangei Gamango, an eminent person of the Saura community had invented Saurang Sompeng Script.
- (b): Government of Odisha has recognized Saura language under its language policy for Multi Lingual Education (MLE) intervention. Primers of Saura language has been developed by Government of Odisha for using in primary education.

Academy of Tribal Languages & Culture (ATLC) organizes training programmes in Saura language from time to  time  for  grass-root  level  field  functionaries  and  primary  teachers  in  Saura  dominated  areas  for  acquiring communication skills in Saura language. Besides, Academy has also published books on Saura language, culture & folklore for propagation of Saura language. ST & SC Development Department, Government of Odisha has also published Bi-lingual Dictionary & Tri-Lingual Proficiency Module in Saura language under MLE intervention which have been distributed among the schools of Gajapati & Rayagada district of Odisha.  New Education Policy also stipulates that young children learn and grasp quickly in their home language and mother tongue. Accordingly, Central and State Government are making efforts to encourage multi-lingual policy for imparting education.

- (c): Does not arise.
- (d):  Government  of  Odisha has  taken  adequate  steps  for  zero  dropouts  in  schools  which  also  includes  Saura community students. Further, a flagship programme under the banner 'SAMHATI' has been launched by ST & SC Development Department, Govt of Odisha  for promotion of Multi Lingual Education (MLE). Distribution of  Saura primers among all children has been planned under SAMHATI initiative.
- (e):  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  the  nodal  Ministry  for  inclusion  of  languages  in  the  Eighth  Schedule  to  the Constitution, has stated that there are 22 languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution and there have been demands for inclusion of more languages. As the evolution of dialects and languages is a dynamic process, influenced by socio-cultural, economic and political developments, it is difficult to fix any criterion for languages, whether to distinguish them from dialects, or for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. Government of India is conscious of the sentiments and requirements for inclusion of other languages in the Eighth Schedule. Such requests have to be considered keeping in mind these sentiments, and the other relevant considerations.