The Union Cabinet on Thursday, approved 5 languages, to be recognized as ‘Classical Language.’ These languages are Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. The decision was made during the cabinet meeting under the leadership of PM Modi.
With this new addition, the count of Classical Languages will double from six to eleven. The languages previously held this distinguished status include Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
What does the Government Statement say?
A government statement, in this regard, said that classical languages preserve India’s rich and ancient cultural heritage. These languages encapsulate the essence of each community’s cultural and historical milestones.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated in the meeting, “”This is a historical decision and this decision goes very well with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government’s philosophy of taking ride in our culture, taking pride in our heritage and taking pride in all the Indian languages and the rich heritage that we have.”
Post the announcement, PM Narendra Modi addressed his administration’s strong will to champion regional language.
The post read, “Our Government cherishes and celebrates India’s rich history and culture. We have also been unwavering in our commitment to popularizing regional languages.”
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister also expressed his feelings through his post on X. Shah said that Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese languages have significantly contributed to our indigenous thought systems and literature.
He further added, “Modi Ji, in a landmark decision at the Union Cabinet today, adorned these five distinguished languages with the honor of being classical languages. This decision in itself is a tribute to their contributions, which will pave the way for them to flourish further.”
Reactions from Assam CM and Bengal CM
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked PM Modi through her social media post. She also thanked the Union Cabinet for approving Assamese the status of Classical Language.
Welcoming the Central Government’s decision CM Mamata Banerjee also posted on X. The post read, “Most happy to share that Bengali/ Bangla has been finally accorded the status of a classical language by Government of India. We had been trying to snatch this recognition from the Ministry of Culture, GOI and we had submitted three volumes of research findings in favor of our contention.”
What are the Benefits of Giving Classical Recognition to Languages?
According to official sources, the Ministry of Education implemented several initiatives to support classical languages. These efforts include the establishment of three Central Universities for advancing Sanskrit. It also includes the founding of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil dedicated to supporting research, providing courses for university students and Tamil language experts, and facilitating the translation of old Tamil texts.
The sources also noted that numerous national and international prizes intended to recognize and encourage achievements in classical languages. Additionally, they stated that these newly added languages will benefit national awards, university chairs, and centers for their development.
Furthermore, this will employ job opportunities in research as well as the preservation, digitization, and documentation of ancient texts.
The central’s decision to give these languages classical status highlights their vital role in preserving the tradition and identities of the country’s tapestry.
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Naina Jaggi is an author deeply rooted in Journalism, mainly writing on lifestyle, entertainment, travel, politics and financial markets. This diverse experience has allowed her to blend rich details with engaging narratives that capture the essence of various worlds. When she is not crafting tales, you’ll find her immersed in music and enjoying the company of dogs. She is also into K-dramas, thriller and horror movies that fuel her imagination, bringing the same spark to her stories.
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