For the first time, International Conference on Chakma Language, Scripts & Cultural started at Agartala on Saturday evening. Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha inaugurated the three days conference at Nazrul Kalasethra in presence of social welfare and social education Minister Santana Chakma and Mizoram MLA Dr Bhuddha Dhan Chakma and intellectuals of the Chakma community from other northeastern states and even neighbouring Bangladesh.
Several other of the Chakma diaspora from various other regions and even from nations like USA, UK, Australia and others shall participate virtually in the conference.
The main aim of the conference is to discuss and form consensus on uniform Chakma customary law, scripts beside there recognitions and to press for enhancing education in Chakma language upto university level in the state of Tripura.
The Chakmas, with a total population of less than a million mainly in three countries namely India, Bangladesh and Myanmar beside a small diaspora that migrated to other parts of the world, are also facing the same challenges and on the verge of losing its language, scripts, customs, traditions and religion due to the powerful influence of local culture of the majority, assimilation and globalization.
In such a situation, International Chakma Sahitya & Sudom Jodha (ICSSJ) has come forward and organized the international conference along with DHUDUK (Cultural Organization).
Various topics which shall be discussed and presented during the conference are – Chakma History and Historiography, Chakma Literature, language & script, Chakma Customs, Culture and their Religion and Chakma Life and Struggle Today.