Agartala, Tripura, 8th of August, 2026 : The State Government has decided to include the Chakma language on the Google Translate platform. Work is underway to build a database of 50,000 Chakma words for this purpose. Hon’ble Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma said this while inaugurating the first State-level Chakma Language and Script Day-2026 celebration at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan on Friday (7th August, 2026). Hon’ble Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury attended as chief guest and addressed the gathering.
Inaugurating the programme, Minister Santana Chakma said the present government has taken efforts for the development of the Chakma language along with the languages of all other minority communities in the state. She noted that the Chakma script has existed in the state for many years, and numerous books, magazines, and other publications have been brought out in the Chakma language. She called for the practice of Chakma script to begin right from Anganwadi centres. During the event, the Industries Minister administered a pledge to all present, committing them to the preservation of the Chakma language.
Chief guest Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that history, culture, and mother tongue form our identity. He noted that the state is home to 19 communities in total, each with its own distinct customs, culture, and language, of which Chakma is one. The Constitution grants us the right to promote our respective languages, cultures, and education. The state government has undertaken various initiatives for the development and expansion of the Chakma language, but Chakma speakers themselves must play a more positive role in preserving it. He said that in the current academic year, teaching through the Chakma script from Class I to Class VIII is being conducted in 123 government schools, with more than 4,000 students enrolled and over 172 Chakma-speaking teachers appointed. Free textbooks have been distributed to students through SCERT, and initiatives have been taken to extend the Chakma-language curriculum up to the secondary and higher secondary levels.
Also addressing the gathering were Shambhu Lal Chakma, MLA and Chairman of the Chakma Language Advisory Development Committee, Dr. Atul Debbarma, former MLA and Chairman of the Kokborok Language Development Advisory Committee, and Shanti Bikash Chakma, State Karbari and Community Head of the Chakma community. Anand Hari Jamatia, Director of the Kokborok and Other Minority Languages Department, delivered the welcome address. SCERT Director L. Darlong and a large number of Chakma-speaking students were also present.
During the programme, Industries Minister Santwana Chakma unveiled the cover of the department’s Chakma literary magazine “Sadarak.” The dignitaries present, honoured Kusum Kanti Chakma, Shantipriya Dewan, and the Tripura Chakma Students Association with cheques and mementos of Rs 5,000 each in recognition of their contribution to the promotion and development of the Chakma language.
Sukhbilas Chakma received the honour on behalf of Kusum Kanti Chakma, while Jibonbasu Chakma received it on behalf of Shantipriya Dewan and the Tripura Chakma Student Association A vibrant cultural programme featuring Chakma dance and music was also organised. Prior to the main event, a colourful rally started from Swami Vivekananda Ground, went through various roads of the capital, and concluded at the Rabindra Bhavan premises.
The rally was joined by the Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, MLA Shambhu Lal Chakma, Chakma community leader Shanti Bikash Chakma, along with Chakma script experts, educationists, various social organisations, and students. The event was organised by the Kokborok and Other Minority Languages Department.
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