Kathmandu: The Nepal Buddhist Federation has formally requested the government to initiate the production, publication, and broadcasting of news and programs in the Bhot language through state-operated media channels. The federation emphasized the importance of incorporating the Bhot language into national media outlets such as Gorkhapatra, Radio Nepal, and Nepal Television.
According to National News Agency Nepal, this appeal was made through a memorandum submitted to Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung. Federation President Nurbu Thundu Sherpa (Geshe Thubten Jinpa) highlighted the government’s obligation to safeguard and promote the Bhot language, predominantly spoken in the country’s mountainous and hilly regions. He expressed optimism that Minister Gurung, known for supporting mother tongue promotion, would prioritize this initiative.
The memorandum underscored Nepal’s identity as a multilingual, multicultural, and multi-religious nation, asserting that the state has a constitutional responsibility to protect and promote the languages, cultures, and identities of its diverse communities. It also emphasized the educational, religious, cultural, and historical significance of the Bhot language, citing historical evidence that original Buddhist texts were translated into Bhot around the seventh century.
Furthermore, the memorandum addressed the Gonpa education system’s efforts since 2065 BS in developing secondary-level curricula and textbooks in the Bhot language, which are now being utilized in Gonpa and community schools across the country.