Agartala, August 23, 2025: The Central government has initiated multiple measures to safeguard and promote the tribal languages of Tripura, including Kokborok, Darlong, Ranglong, and Uchai.

Replying to an un-starred question from Tripura MP Kriti Devi Debbarman in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey said that financial support is being extended to 29 Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) across the country, including the Tribal Research and Cultural Institute (TR&CI) in Tripura, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)”.

He informed that the scheme covers infrastructure development, research, documentation, training and capacity building, cultural festivals, yatras, and exchange visits to preserve and disseminate tribal heritage, languages, and rituals.

Highlighting the initiatives in Tripura, Uikey said the TR&CI has been publishing books and dictionaries on tribal languages, releasing a literary journal “SAIMA” annually, and a research journal “TUI” biannually. It also organizes seminars and workshops on indigenous languages in collaboration with Tripura University, produces audio-visual documentation on tribal heritage, and prepares notations of tribal folk songs.

“Primers in tribal languages have already been introduced in government schools of Tripura. All books and documentation are preserved in the Social Science Library of TR&CI and uploaded online,” the Minister added. He noted that ₹13 lakh was allocated in 2021-22 and 2024-25 for publications, research, and seminars on indigenous languages.

In addition, the Ministry of Education launched the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL) through the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, under which 117 languages—including Darlong, Ranglong, and Uchai of Tripura—were identified for preservation.

As part of the Digital India initiative, CIIL is also implementing the Bharatavani Project, a digital repository of 121 Indian languages. “Languages like Kokborok, Halam, Mogh, and Chakma from Tripura, which have rich literary traditions, are prominently featured on the Bharatavani portal,” Uikey informed.