Preservation of mother languages emphasized

Kathmandu, Jan 15: President of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, Gelze Lama Sherpa, underscored preserving mother languages to protect the ethnic identity of indigenous communities.     

Addressing a programme organized here today by the Nepal Magar Association marking the major festival of Maghe Sankrati, one of the major cultural festivals of Magar community, President Sherpa reiterated the importance of mother languages in promoting of ethnic identity, culture and arts among others.     

Stating that many indigenous communities' mother languages were disappearing lately, he asserted that mother language is the major attribute of any indigenous communities. "We exist if our mother languages exist," he argued, stressing on preservation of mother language as well as the culture, tradition, customs of tribal communities.     

He also spoke of the need for the indigenous communities to remain aware about ensuring rights for themselves.(RSS)