Jamshedpur: The President, Droupadi Murmu, will be accorded a traditional welcome with the Sendra hunting song at the concluding ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script of the Santali language, scheduled to be held on December 29 at the Jaherthan complex in Karandih. Local tribal artists will perform the traditional music as the President arrives and proceeds to the stage after the customary puja (prayer).
The grand concluding programme will be attended by around 1,000 people, including nearly 800 registered delegates of the Santali Writers Association, while the remaining participants will include representatives from the government and district administration. President Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest at the ceremony and will remain present for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. As per the schedule, she will arrive at the venue at 10:40 am and depart at 11:40 am.
Upon reaching the stage, students of Kasturba Gandhi Girls’ School, Patamda, accompanied by the Swar Viper Band, will present the national anthem. During the programme, the President will honour eminent writers and social workers who have made notable contributions to the promotion and development of the Santali language and the Ol Chiki script. Santali Writers Association General Secretary Rabindranath Murmu informed that 12 individuals who have played a significant role in promoting the Ol Chiki script will be felicitated.
Governor Santosh Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren will also share the dais with the President, while Potka MLA Sanjeev Sardar will formally welcome her before the commencement of the programme.
Earlier, the All India Santali Writers Association and the Karandih Dishom Jaherthan Committee held a press conference at the Jaherthan complex to share details of the centenary celebrations. The series of events began on December 27 with a literary conference and an Ol Chiki book fair in Karandih. On December 28, literary, academic, and cultural sessions were organized, including discussions on traditional Sendra hunting songs and Sohrai songs, along with a Santali poets’ meet.
On Friday evening, the tribal book fair was inaugurated by Padma Shri awardee Dr Damayanti Besra and Santali Writers Association President Dr Laxman Kisku. An international tribal short film festival, being held alongside the celebrations, will also conclude on Saturday.
The centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script are being described as a landmark event for Santali language and literature, with the presence of the President lending historic significance and generating enthusiasm across the Santali community.
Tight security arrangements in place for President’s visit
Jamshedpur: Ahead of the arrival of the President , Droupadi Murmu, in Jamshedpur, the district administration and police have put in place elaborate security arrangements across the city. Considering the President’s visit as a high-security event, comprehensive measures have been taken to ensure safety, smooth movement, and law and order during her stay.
The entire route from the airport to the programme venues has been declared a high-security zone. Senior officials of the district administration, police department, and intelligence agencies reviewed the arrangements on the ground. Multi-layered security has been deployed, including local police, special armed forces, and intelligence personnel. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads, and surveillance teams have also been stationed at key locations.
In view of the President’s movement, several roads have been temporarily diverted. Traffic police have issued an advisory requesting citizens to cooperate and use alternative routes. Entry of heavy vehicles has been restricted on major roads during the President’s convoy movement. Parking has also been prohibited near the programme venues and along the designated routes.
As per the traffic plan, roads connecting the airport, Circuit House, Sakchi, Bistupur, and adjoining areas will witness diversions for a specified period. Commuters have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel on these routes and follow the instructions of traffic personnel deployed at various junctions. Emergency services have been kept on alert to avoid inconvenience to the public.
