A delegation of Santali monthly Newsmagazine Fagun from Odisha Jharkhand and New Delhi met with the Droupadi Murmu under the leadership of New Delhi-based representative Mrs. Sulochana Hansdah, raising concerns over the continued use of Devanagari script in Santali textbooks published by NCERT and demanding the implementation of OLCHIKI, the indigenous and authentic script of the Santali language.
The meeting marked the first interaction with the Hon’ble President following the Centenary Celebration of OLCHIKI Script (1925–2025) held in New Delhi on 15th and 16th February 2026. During the interaction, the delegates extended their sincere gratitude to the President for her support toward the successful organization of the centenary celebration and appreciated the recognition accorded to , inventor of the OLCHIKI script.
The delegation also expressed gratitude for the inclusion of Santali Language in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum from the academic session 2026–2027, describing it as a significant milestone for the development and expansion of Santali language education at the national level.
On the occasion, Mrs. Sulochana Hansdah presented a traditional Santal Jhal Saree to President Droupadi Murmu as a gesture of respect and as a symbol of Santali cultural heritage and identity.
President Murmu appreciated the collective efforts and contributions of individuals and organizations involved in promoting Santali language, literature and OLCHIKI script and acknowledged their dedication toward preserving the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Santali community.
The delegation submitted a memorandum expressing serious concern over the continued publication of Santali textbooks in Devanagari script by NCERT and other educational institutions. The memorandum emphasized that OLCHIKI is the scientifically designed and culturally authentic writing system for Santali language and has long been used across Odisha, West Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand in schools, colleges, universities and literary publications.
The delegates urged the Government of India to implement OLCHIKI script in Santali textbooks, curriculum frameworks and educational materials published under NCERT, CBSE and other educational bodies, stating that the continued use of Devanagari script undermines the linguistic identity and educational rights of Santali-speaking communities.
Besides submitting the memorandum, the delegates and the Hon’ble President exchanged views on the promotion and development of Santali language and the wider use of OLCHIKI script in education, literature and public institutions. Discussions also focused on future initiatives aimed at preserving Santali linguistic and cultural heritage.
The delegation further discussed the proposal for establishing a “Jaher Gar” in New Delhi, considering it an important cultural and spiritual centre for preserving and promoting Santali traditions, customs and identity in the national capital.
Members of the delegation included Mangat Murmu Anup Majhi  Dr. Rajanikant Mandi Dr. Fudan Soren Somnath Hansdah, Sulochana Hansdah, Kabita Hansdah, Karunakar Hansdah, Singrai Murmu, Ratikanta Murmu , Chudamani Murmu  Raimohan Tudu, Rita Tudu ,Jayshree Tudu , Nunaram Hansdah ,Belarani Hansdah.
The delegation expressed hope that the concerns raised in the memorandum would receive positive consideration and that future Santali educational materials would adopt OLCHIKI script, in line with its growing recognition in literature, governance and public institutions.