Addressing the gathering, Mr. Bhandari reminisced on the long journey from aspiration and demand to eventual Constitutional recognition of Nepali as a language of India.
Speaking on the movement that had started way back in 1956 from Dehradun, he spoke at length on the difficulties faced by him and others involved in the Bhasa Manyata struggle, sharing that because of these problems, they even had to shift the Nepali Bhasa Samiti office from Darjeeling to Dehradun. “It took us exactly 2 years, 2 months and 21 days to get the Nepali language into the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution,” he stated.
People can celebrate Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas on any day, he highlighted, even as he went on to contend that to celebrate it on 20 August [as is traditionally done] was not accurate since on that day the Bill was passed in Parliament. “It was on 31 August that the President of India signed the Bill and gave the actual recognition to Nepali language and so that is why it is being celebrated today,” he explained.
Speaking on why he did not accept the Bhanu Jayanti Puraskar on Bhanu Jayanti, he explained that since the award had been constituted by him during his tenure as the Chief Minister, it did not feel right to accept the award himself.
Thanking the Nepali Bhasa and Sanskriti Committee, Soreng for organizing the function and for felicitating him on the occasion, he further urged the committee to organize such social gatherings in the future where people from different organizations and politicians can come together under one roof and speak on common issues beyond the realm of politics.
Earlier in his address, the Burtuk MLA highlighted that today was an important day for the Nepali speaking people of India and added that it was an honour to have Mr. Bhandari present on the occasion as he was the person who had brought recognition to the Nepali language.
“People nowadays are going for materialistic development and are forgetting their language and culture and accepting western culture as their own, this is not good,” he said, adding that culture was not only meant for entertainment and dance, but was about one’s own identity.
Earlier, former MLA Til Bahadur Limboo from Rhenock and Kedar Gurung were also felicitated, while cultural programmes by school children were also performed. All speakers made a conscious effort not to speak or comment on politics today.
Shri N B Bhandari really deserves it! Many have been a part of this movement but without his effort and support today would have still been considered Outsider!! Cheers to him and for his contribution in recognisation of Nepali Bhasha in the 8th schedule.
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