Source: PIB
Why in News?
The centenary of the Ol Chiki script is being inaugurated by the Ministry of Culture on 16 February 2026 in New Delhi, marking 100 years of the writing system of the Santhali language.
What is Ol Chiki?
- Official script of the Santhali language, a major tribal language of India.
- A scientifically designed script, created specifically to represent Santhali sounds.
- Not borrowed or adapted from other scripts (Roman, Bengali, Odia, Devanagari).
- Built to reflect the unique phonetics of Santhali.
Origin and Creator
- Developed in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
- Aim: provide Santhali speakers a distinct written identity.
- First major literary work: High Serena (1936).
- Revered among Santhals as Guru Gomke (Great Teacher).
