The Union Cabinet has taken a significant step towards preserving India's rich linguistic heritage by granting classical language status to five Indian languages: Assamese, Marathi, Bengali, , Pali, and Prakrit.
This decision was announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised the immense contribution of each language to India's cultural and literary heritage .
The five languages have been recognized for their unique strengths:
- Assamese: For its thriving culture and rich literary tradition
- Marathi: For its richness in culture and significant contribution to Indian history, making it a jewel of Indian heritage .
- Bengali: For its inspiring literature that has motivated people for decades .
- Pali: For its profound relevance in Indian spirituality, wisdom, and philosophy .
- Prakrit: For its notable contribution to Indian thought, culture, and history ¹.
This move aims to promote and preserve linguistic diversity in India, creating opportunities for academic and research growth. The Ministry of Education has already taken initiatives to support classical languages, including establishing central universities and institutes for language studies .
The classification criteria for classical languages were revised in July 2024 to include factors such as high antiquity, ancient literature, and original literary tradition . This decision will not only enhance the study and preservation of these languages but also generate employment opportunities in fields like archiving, translation, and digital media .
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