Dr. Smita Sinha represents the Department of Linguistics, Berhampur University . Her paper, for Prof. M. B. Emeneau Centenary International Conference on South Asian Linguistic is Tribal Multilingualism in Orissa and Issues on Mother Tongue Education, which deals with language families existing in Orissa, the effects of Three Languages Formula on the tribals of Orissa and other key issues.

           According to her, with the influence of Indo-Aryans and the process of settling down of tribes in remote areas, the process of integration and assimilation into non-tribal languages and culture went on simultaneously. As a result different dialects emerged and today there are almost 44 tribal languages are found in Orissa. These languages belong to Indo-Aryan, Dravidian and Munda families. It is to be observed that all some languages have less numerical strength, some are primitive, and some have their own script.

          The Central Advisory Board of Education in 1957, proposed the Three Language Formula (TLF), which was accept after further modifications. This TLF consists of one modern Indian language, English and Hindi, one for regional, one for international and the other for national identity. But it is observed that because of these languages planning the rate of school drop-outs among tribals in Orissa is alarmingly high.

          Though Mother-tongue education of tribals will have a positive impact on tribal education in Orissa, the system needs total rethinking in the line of language planning.

          Dr. Sinha's paper focuses mainly on the different aspects of tribal dialects of Orissa at intra-and inter-tribal level. In conclusion, it is observed that today, tribal languages are treated in different cadres like major or minor, autonomous or semi-autonomous, pure or pidgin, literary or non-literary, recognizable or ignorable varieties.

           The discussion that followed the session chaired by Prof. Kikkeri Narayan, was initiated by Prof. Rajesh Sachdeva with the suggestion that before taking any decision regarding language planning it was essential to know the feeling and need of the people of that area. He emphasized that tribals must enhance their own culture and language. Prof. Sinha commented that there was a lot of things to be considered socially, culturally and in related areas before any change was initiated. Prof. Ramakant Agnihotri queried as to the appropriateness of the term 'tribal', suggesting that it would be better to call them a 'minority community'. Prof. Sinha replied that the term was used as a mere translation of the term 'adivasi'. Prof. S. S. Bhattacharya said that caution was necessary while quoting the census and he suggested that two types of data-speaker based and strength based-were needed to be generated. Prof. Hock asserted that tribals had the free to choose the way of their life and no one had the right to dictate them

           The chairperson of the Dr. Kikkeri Narayan, summarized that problems amongst tribals were more local than universal; apart from that bureaucracy plays an important role in helping tribals out but they seem to lag behind. He emphasized that cognition of the tribal mind was more important.