New Delhi: President of Bharat, Droupadi Murmu on Monday, December 29 graced the closing ceremony of the 22nd Parsi Maha and the centenary celebrations of 0I Chiki script of the Santhali language at Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur.
Speaking on the occasion the president stressed, that apart from learning any other language, it is important for everyone to learn their mother tongue.
“There is no harm in learning every language, but never forget your own mother tongue. When you speak with your own people, always try to converse in your mother tongue,” urged the president while delivering her speech in Santhali.
The president also remembered Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the creator of the OI Chiki script on the occasion. She said that while the Santhalis have their own language, various other scripts were used in before 1925 due to lack of a proper script for the language. She said that many of the Santhalis words were not pronounced correctly in the scripts other than the OI Chiki.
LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu addresses the centenary celebrations of Ol Chiki at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand https://t.co/GEZADsJt6z
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 29, 2025
She noted that the OI Chiki script since its inception has become a powerful symbol of the Santhali identity.
The president further mentioned that she recently got an opportunity to release the Constitution of India in Santhali language written in OI Chiki script. She expressed confidence that the Santhali-speaking people will now be able to read and understand the constitution of India in their own mother tongue.
Murmu also stressed on the need of awakening the tribal communities, terming it an important task. She urged the writers to awaken the tribal communities through their writings. She also mentioned that the Union Government has released Rs 24,000 crore for the Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
The president on the occasion also lauded the tribal communities for their environment-friendly lifestyle, urging the people to move on the path of development while keeping in mind the need of environment-conservation.
The president on the occasion was joined by Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The program marked the 100 years of the OI Chiki movement launched by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925.
Later in the day, the President also attended the 15th convocation ceremony of NIT, Jamshedpur. President Murmu is on three-day visit to Jharkhand. She arrived in the capital city of Ranchi on Sunday. She will also address the Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh-Karthik Jatra on Tuesday in Gumla


















