Mahuli Village, Birbhum – February 21, 2025: In a remarkable initiative to promote water conservation, IMAGIN organized a community-driven campaign in the Santali language to mark International Mother Language Day . The event, held in Mahuli Village, witnessed enthusiastic participation from the Santali-speaking tribal community, reinforcing the objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
Birbhum district, as per the 2011 Census of India, is a linguistically diverse region with 54 mother tongues spoken. However, three languages dominate the linguistic landscape, with Bengali being the most widely spoken by 92.38% of the population, followed by Santali (5.99%) and Hindi (0.90%).
Given this distribution, Santali holds cultural and linguistic significance for a substantial portion of the population, especially within tribal communities. Water conservation and the goals of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), aimed at providing functional tap water connections to every rural household, can be better communicated when delivered in the mother tongue of the people. On International Mother Tongue Day, promoting water conservation through Santali will ensure deeper engagement and effective dissemination of JJM messages to the Santali-speaking population of Birbhum.
The campaign featured various activities, including video screenings, community discussions, and traditional Santali songs, all aimed at raising awareness about the importance of water conservation. Women’s self-help groups, youth, and local leaders actively took part in discussions, pledging to adopt responsible water usage practices.
“The use of our mother language, Santali, made the message of water conservation deeply impactful,” said Puja Maddi, a participant from the village. “It felt personal and urgent, and we understood the importance of saving water in a way that truly resonated with us.”
Another participant, Anjali Hembram Soren, emphasized the need for more such initiatives. “Water is life, and through this campaign, we have learned how we can contribute to protecting it. The Jal Jeevan Mission has brought water to our homes, and now it is our duty to use it wisely,” she said.
The event included a rally where villagers carried placards and chanted slogans in Santali, reinforcing the key messages of water conservation. A video documentary in Santali was also screened, highlighting best practices in water management and community involvement.
“We are proud to integrate language, culture, and environmental responsibility,” said an IMAGIN representative. “By communicating in Santali, we ensure that vital information reaches the grassroots level and inspires action.”
This initiative, spearheaded by IMAGIN as an Implementation Support Agency (ISA) for JJM, successfully combined cultural identity with environmental consciousness, fostering a stronger commitment to sustainable water practices within the Santali-speaking community.
