Mumbai

On Friday, the Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Cabinet for granting classical language status to Marathi. In recognition of this achievement, the Cabinet has declared October 3 as ‘Marathi Classical Language Pride Day.’

Marathi Language Minister Deepak Kesarkar announced the Cabinet’s resolution, which commended Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for their historic decision. The resolution highlights that Marathi has roots as a classical language, and efforts to achieve this status have spanned over a decade, involving a dedicated committee led by Ranganath Pathare.

The resolution noted the continuous work by various organizations, including the Directorate of Marathi Language and the Marathi Encyclopaedia Board, which have championed this cause. The announcement has been met with joy among Marathi speakers, as it acknowledges the hard work of numerous writers and scholars who advocated for this recognition.

With this status, Marathi will benefit from enhanced opportunities for research, dialect studies, and the promotion of literature in universities across India. Plans are underway to establish a Marathi language university in Riddhpur, further enriching the language’s development and enabling better support for institutions and students dedicated to advancing Marathi. This milestone is a source of pride for Marathi enthusiasts worldwide.