“ODISHA SUGGESTS KUI LANGUAGE ADDITION IN INDIAN CONSTITUTION’S 8TH SCHEDULE.”

Why in the news?

“Odisha Cabinet recommends Kui language inclusion in Indian Constitution’s 8th Schedule; NCERT to develop teaching materials.”

source:slideshare

About the Inclusion of Kui Language in 8th Schedule:

  • Odisha Cabinet recommends inclusion of Kui language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution.
  • Kui, also known as Kandh, is a South-Eastern Dravidian language spoken by the Kandha community primarily in Odisha.
  • With nearly 7 lakh speakers, Kui is closely related to Gondi and Kuvi languages.
  • NCERT to develop teaching-learning materials for Kui-speaking students in Odisha as per NEP-2020 mandate.
  • NCERT forms a 10-member committee to frame language materials for Kui-speaking students.
  • Committee headed by Prof BK Panda with representation from CUO, linguistic experts, and RIE.
What is Kui Language?

●   Kui: South-Eastern Dravidian language spoken by the Kandha community.

●   Related to Gondi and Kuvi.

●   Primary in Odisha.

●   Ranked 29 in the 1991 Indian census with 941,988 speakers.

●   Written in Odia script.

●   Historically known as Kuinga language.

About 8th Schedule:

●   8th Schedule: Lists official languages of India.

●   Recognizes 22 languages.

●   Originally, 14 languages were listed in the Constitution.

●   Sindhi added in 1967.

●   Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali added in 1992.

●   Santali, Dogri, Maithili, Bodo added by 92nd Amendment Act of 2003.

Who are the Kandha community?

  • Khonds: Indigenous Adivasi tribal community in India.
  • Numerically largest tribe in Odisha.
  • Organise into territorial clan groups.
  • Clans are strictly exogamous.
  • Divided into four functional groups: mondal, bismajhi, jani, pujari.