The Khasi Department of Shillong College organized a special celebration of International Mother Language Day with a program titled "Tien Nongmei Salonsar" held at the college auditorium on Tuesday.
The program holds great significance, as the Khasi language currently faces considerable challenges. Many Khasi people prefer to use other languages in daily conversation, leaving their mother tongue at a critical crossroads. Despite this, the language continues to survive thanks to the efforts of students and educators. As the saying goes, "If a language dies, a people die."
Dr. A.W. Rani, a resource person at the event, highlighted that active use of the language among youth is crucial for its survival. He noted that although Khasi was recognized as an Associate Official Language in 2005, it is yet to be fully adopted as a government language.
Dr. Rani urged students to take responsibility for speaking Khasi, emphasizing, "If the language dies, the people die."
Meanwhile, Dr. B. Khyriem stressed the importance of "Tien Nongmei Salonsar" as a platform for students to actively engage with the language. "Through this initiative, students are not only learning but also ensuring the continued vitality of the Khasi language," she said.
During the celebration, students from Shillong College's 2022–2025 batch were recognized for their academic achievements. Laticia Iawphniaw received the Khasi language award for her outstanding performance.
The program was originally scheduled for February 21, in line with UNESCO's observance, but the event was postponed following the untimely death of Shillong MP, late Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon.
International Mother Language Day was first proclaimed by UNESCO on February 21, 1999, and has been officially observed since February 16, 2000. UNESCO encourages nations to celebrate the day to preserve linguistic diversity and promote cultural understanding. This year's theme, "Our Youth Voices on Multilingual Education," emphasized the role of young people in fostering multilingual learning.