Monk on a mission

Sohrab Hossain and Andrew Eagle The Daily Star March 14, 2017

Buddhist monk Utuchitta Mohathero from Amkholapara temple in Patuakhali's Kuakata helps 

a boy write Rakhine alphabets. He takes free classes on Rakhine language at his “Bijoyrama 

Buddho Bihar” education centre within the temple compound. Photo: Star

The importance of one's mother tongue is perhaps nowhere better understood 

than in Bangladesh. A mother tongue is an indispensible fundament of self-
identity. Armed with such understanding, Buddhist monk Utuchitta Mohathero 
from Amkholapara temple in Patuakhali's Kuakata is making efforts to ensure 
the next generation of his Rakhine community do not lose touch with the 
Rakhine language.

“Knowledge of written as well as spoken Rakhine is very important for our 

community,” he says. “Many religious books are written in Rakhine. In the 
generation that are now parents, many can speak Rakhine but not read or 
write it.

They had no chance to learn. For the upcoming generation, we hope to 
change that.”

At least 30 young students gather regularly at his “Bijoyrama Buddho Bihar” 
education centre within the temple compound where classes are held from 
7:00am-9:00am and at 3:00pm-4:00pm. Classes are free.

“I never had the opportunity to learn to read and write in my mother tongue,” 
says one student's guardian, Tan Nan. “I send my six-year-old daughter 
Tameche to the temple classes so she will be able to.”

“My son Chandaw studies Rakhine at the temple,” states another guardian, 
Monanching. “The language is important for our religious education.”

It's an issue close to the hearts of many. At meetings held last year by 
development organisation Nazrul Smriti Sangsad which, in cooperation 
with NGO Manusher Jonno Foundation, has been implementing a three-year 
social engagement project within the community, fostering the Rakhine 
language was raised as a key concern.

“From community feedback last March,” says the development organisation's 
executive director Shahbuddin Panna, “we helped to establish two language 
centres in May last year, where around 40 children study. More centres are 
needed.”

Monk Utuchitta Mohathero believes the government has a greater role to play.

“Government assistance in facilitating textbook supply, setting up schools and 
appointing teachers for Rakhine language instruction would be greatly 
appreciated,” he says.

Already the local Kalapara upazila administration is contributing, providing a 
monthly honorarium of Tk 4,000 to the monk in each centre, according to 
upazila chairman Abdul Motaleb Talukder. Text books are currently sourced 
from local NGO Caritas.

There are more than 1,100 Rakhines in Kuakata, from around 300 families 
in 23 villages, with 142 children under five years old.