SHILLONG: In a historic first for the state of Meghalaya, the Cabinet meeting held today officially implemented the use of three languages—English, Khasi, and Garo—for its agenda notes and deliberation points.
This milestone marks the first time in the state’s history that government cabinet proceedings have integrated local indigenous languages alongside English.
The spokesperson for the MDA-2 government, Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, described this as a monumental and essential step that clearly demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity by incorporating native languages into formal governance.
Speaking to members of the press, Shylla expressed immense pride in this achievement, noting that it serves as concrete evidence of the state’s rigorous efforts to promote the Khasi and Garo languages.
He emphasized that this move strengthens the state’s longstanding demand for the inclusion of these two languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Furthermore, he stated that this initiative is a significant contribution to the welfare of the people, showcasing the government’s seriousness in preserving and elevating the cultural and literary heritage of the indigenous communities in the Northeast.
When questioned about whether the Pnar language would receive similar recognition in the future, Shylla, who represents a constituency in the Jaintia Hills region, clarified that such a development depends entirely on the aspirations and demands of the people from that area.
He noted that the community has already been active in developing their own alphabets and literary standards.
As a public representative, he assured that he would stand by the will of the people to preserve and promote their mother tongue should such a formal demand arise.
This decisive action by the state government has ignited fresh hope across the state, particularly regarding the decades-old movement to secure full national recognition for Meghalaya’s indigenous languages on the pan-India stage.
