Bhubaneswar: On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu honored writer Raghunath Murmu on his birth anniversary, emphasizing that his vision provided an identity to the Santali language. Born in 1905 in Dandbose village near Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, Raghunath Murmu was the creator of the Ol Chiki script for the Santali language.

“On the birth anniversary of Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the creator of the Ol Chiki script for the Santali language, I pay humble tribute to him. Through his farsightedness and creativity, he gave a new identity to the Santali language,” the President stated in a social media post.

President Murmu, who shares her roots with the Rairangpur area, noted that the Ol Chiki script facilitated the promotion of education, literature, and expression in the Santali language, leading to the overall development of the Santhal community.

“Let us, drawing inspiration from his ideals, resolve to remain continuously committed to the preservation and promotion of the nation’s cultural heritage, and actively contribute to building a developed and inclusive India,” she added.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, also a member of the Santhal community, paid floral tribute at the statue of the icon near the Assembly compound. “On this Jayanti of the eminent Santali litterateur, great reformer, and creator of the Ol Chiki script, Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu, my heartfelt and devoted salutations. His contribution to safeguarding cultural identity and giving the Santali language a distinct recognition on the global stage is unparalleled,” he remarked in a social media post. “Let us, on this sacred day, pledge to preserve our rich cultural heritage in his ideals while striving to build a prosperous society,” he added.

Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik also paid tribute to the icon, stating, “My respectful homage on the birth anniversary of the eminent Santali poet and creator of the Ol Chiki script, Pandit Raghunath Murmu. His unparalleled contribution to enriching the language and literature alongside the advancement of Santhali society remains forever a source of inspiration.”