England accepted, America set out conditions for the paag to meet

New Delhi, 18/1/2020 :With a success in entering the word paag in London based Macmillan Dictionary; Dr Birbal Jha on 5th January 2020 wrote a letter to the editor of Merriam-Webster dictionary based in Missouri of America since 1828 which was promptly replied by Neil S Serven, an Associate Editor of the dictionary on 8th January with an assurance and set a condition to meet.

The reply letter says, “Dear Birbal Jha, thank you for writing to Merriam-Webster, and for the information you have shared regarding the term paag. We have made a note of it for our file to consider toward possible future entry. Please note that since we are an American publisher, any decision to enter the word would take into account the word’s use in American print media”.

“The paag, a cultural symbol of the region needs to be treated as a flagship for dissemination of Mithila philosophy which enables one to live a life of prosperity even in the hour of scarcity”, said Dr Birbal Jha, appealing people to take Mithila beyond its geographical boundaries and let the human race know what the land of Goddess has to offer to the world.

“A paag in literal sense is a ceremonial headdress worn by the people of Mithila in India and Nepal. However, its figurative meaning refers to a token of an honour and respect as dignitaries are occasionally conferred with the Mithila paag. To save the paag is to save honor” said noted author and culture activist Dr Birbal Jha, who years ago launched ‘Save the Paag Campaign’ under the banner of Mithilalok Foundation working for socio-economic and cultural development.

Extraordinarily, the paag which dates back to prehistoric time when it was made of leaves of plants and trees at a certain point is a great token of honor and respect and a significant part of Mithila culture”, added Dr Jha, better known as the ‘Youngest Living Legend of Mithila.

Notably, the Government of India led by PM Narendra Modi issued a postage stamp on Mithila paag in 2017 in recognition of its value, public sentiments and demands made through the campaigns.

“The campaign ‘Paag for all’ aims at curbing social disparities, casteism and religious conflict. People irrespective of caste, creed and religion who live in Mithila or have their origins there are Maithils and they are easily identified with a single cultural identity – Mithila paag bearing a strong resemblance to Pugg, Pagdi, Turban, Pheta, Safa, Skull-Cap and others as used in different states and regions”, added revolutionary Dr Jha, better known for his social enterprise British Lingua with the slogan English for all.

“I have already written a letter to the Oxford Dictionary and Collins’, requesting them to include the word–paag with its meanings and usage in their next publications, and I am confident of the inclusion in those dictionaries also in days to come”, informed Dr Jha.

Meanwhile, to the Government of Bihar, Dr Jha reiterated his demand for declaration of paag as state cap that will be an honour to Goddess Sita, who was born in Mithila. The paag song penned by Dr Jha and sung by Vikas Jha has been a hit among music lovers and the community men. The links for you, https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/paag ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paag