Amrita Katha now in Santhali

Kolkata: The first ever translation of Amrita Katha, a book on the philosophy of Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada and Swami Vivekananda, in Santhali has been brought out by the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Gol Park.

"Jeoed Jagar: Sri Ramakrishna, Saradamoue are Swami Vivekanandaya Katha Reya" by Subhomoy Ray was released at an event at Sri Ramakrishna Sarada Sevasram at Akalalipur in Birbhum by Swami Vagishananda Puri on Saturday.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Visva Bharti University Professor Sabujkoli Sen took the initiative to translate Amrita Katha to Santhali.

It may be mentioned that Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee has taken special interest to publish textbooks in Olchiki script. The Backward Classes Welfare Department has published a dictionary in Olchiki.

Professor Sen said the book has been distributed among Santhal girls, who are associated to an organisation named Binapani in Santiniketan. Also, it has been distributed in Bankura and will be shortly provided to Santhal students in Jhargram.

"The translation of the philosophy of Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada and Swami Vivekananda was the need of the hour to teach the young generation about our heritage and cherished values, which will help them to lead a meaningful life," professor Sen said.

The book is in demand as readers have shown keen interest in it, she further said.

The translator Subhomoy Roy is a graduate in Santhali language from Bhasa Bhavan in Visva Bharti. Later, he pursued BEd in Santhali from Benoy Bhavan.

Roy said the translation has been made in lucid language to attract young readers. Professor Sen thanked

Swami Suparnanandaji, secretary Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Gol Park for publishing the translation of the book, which was originally written in Bengali.

As the popularity of Santhali language is fast growing, the book is likely to be appreciated by both academicians and students.