**Executive Summary**
The President of India attended the 9th International Santal Conference on March 7, 2026. The conference celebrated the Santali language, its script, and the contributions of tribal communities. Key themes included preserving traditions, embracing development, and focusing on education and empowerment for tribal youth.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Historical Significance**
* The conference acknowledged the revolt against exploitation led by ancestor Tilka Majhi, approximately 240 years ago.
* The Santal Hul, led by Sido-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Phoolo-Jhano in 1855, was also highlighted.
* **Santali Language and Script**
* The year 2003 marked the inclusion of the Santali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
* Last year, the Constitution of India, written in Santali using the Ol Chiki script, was released.
* Pandit Raghunath Murmu invented the Ol Chiki script in 1925, the centenary of which was recently celebrated.
* His contributions, including plays like "Bidu Chandan" and "Sido Kanhu - Santal Hul," promoted Santali literature and social consciousness.
* Members of the Santal community are encouraged to read other languages and scripts while remaining connected to their own.
* **Tribal Community Values and Progress**
* Tribal communities have preserved folk music, dances, and traditions, demonstrating a long-standing sensitivity to nature.
* The lesson of nature conservation must be passed to future generations.
* Tribal communities should embrace modern development alongside preserving traditions and the environment.
* The conference expressed confidence that tribal communities will exemplify harmony between progress and nature.
* **Focus for Tribal Youth**
* Emphasis should be placed on education, health, and economic empowerment for tribal youth.
* Tribal youth must pursue education and skill development while staying connected to their roots.
* Resolutions should be made to preserve language and culture, prioritize education, and maintain unity and fraternity.
* These efforts will contribute to building an empowered society and a strong India.
**Impact Analysis**
**Santal Community Members**
* **Impact:** They are celebrated for their historical revolts, cultural preservation, and the development of their language and script. They are encouraged to embrace modern development while retaining their heritage.
* **Action Required:** Engage with their language and culture, read in the Ol Chiki script, and strive for progress through education and empowerment while remembering their roots.
**Tribal Communities in General**
* **Impact:** Their traditions, sensitivity to nature, and contributions to society are recognized. They are urged to balance progress with conservation and focus on education and empowerment.
* **Action Required:** Preserve folk traditions and the environment, embrace modern development, and prioritize education, health, and economic empowerment for their youth.
**Tribal Youth**
* **Impact:** They are the focus of empowerment efforts through education and skill development. They are reminded to stay connected to their heritage.
* **Action Required:** Pursue education and skill development, and resolve to preserve their language and culture.
Key Entities Referenced
Constitution of India: The supreme law of India, referenced for the inclusion of the Santali language in its Eighth Schedule and for the release of the Constitution written in the Santali language and Ol Chiki script.
Santal Hul: A historical revolt led by Sido-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, and Phoolo-Jhano in 1855, significant to the Santal community's history.
Ol Chiki script: A script invented by Pandit Raghunath Murmu, crucial for the expression and literature of the Santali language.
President of India: The highest office of the Indian state, represented by Smt Droupadi Murmu, who graced the conference.
Darjeeling, West Bengal: The location where the 9th International Santal Conference was held.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES 9TH
INTERNATIONAL SANTAL CONFERENCE
Posted On: 07 MAR 2026 2:33PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the 9th International Santal Conference at Darjeeling,
West Bengal today (March 7, 2026).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it is a matter of pride for the Santal community that our
ancestor, Tilka Majhi, raised the banner of revolt against exploitation nearly 240 years ago. Nearly 60
years after his revolt, the brave brothers Sido-Kanhu and Chand-Bhairav, along with the brave sisters
Phoolo-Jhano, led the Santal Hul in 1855.
The President said that the year 2003 will always be remembered in the history of the Santali community.
That year, the Santali language was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Last year,
on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Constitution of India,
written in the Santali language in the Ol Chiki script, was released.
The President said that in 1925, Pandit Raghunath Murmu invented the Ol Chiki script. Recently, we have
celebrated the centenary of this invention. His contributions provided Santali speakers with a new opening
for expression. He also composed plays such as "Bidu Chandan," "Kherwal Veer," "Dalege Dhan," and
"Sido Kanhu - Santal Hul." In this way, he spread the light of literature and social consciousness within
the Santali community. She said that members of Santal community should read other languages and
scripts, but be connected with their own language.The President said that tribal communities have preserved their folk music, dances and traditions for
centuries. They have maintained a sensitivity to nature, passed down from generation to generation. She
emphasised that the lesson of nature conservation must be passed to future generations. She underlined
that along with preserving folk traditions and the environment, our tribal communities must embrace
modern development and move forward on the journey of progress. She expressed confidence that
members of tribal communities, including the Santal community, will set an example of the harmony
between progress and nature.
The President said that the need of the hour is to focus on education, health and economic empowerment.
Tribal youth must progress through education and skill development. But in all these efforts, they should
not forget their roots. She said that we should resolve to preserve our language and culture, prioritize
education and maintain unity and fraternity in society. This will help us in building an empowered society
and a strong India.***
MJPS/ST
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