Union Cabinet Approves Classical Language Status
New Delhi, India
The Union Cabinet has approved the status of classical language for Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This decision follows the creation of the ‘classical languages’ category by the Government of India in 2004, starting with Tamil.
Criteria for Classical Language
To be recognized as a classical language, a language must have ancient texts over a thousand years old, a rich body of literature, and an original literary tradition. The Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC) under Sahitya Akademi evaluates these criteria.
Historical Context
Tamil was declared a classical language in 2004, followed by Sanskrit in 2005, Telugu and Kannada in 2008, Malayalam in 2013, and Odia in 2014. Proposals for Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali were reviewed, leading to their recent approval.
Promotion and Benefits
The Ministry of Education has established universities and institutes to promote classical languages, offering courses and research opportunities. Recognizing these languages creates jobs in academia, research, archiving, and digital media.
Cultural Impact
These languages are vital to preserving India’s cultural heritage, offering insights into the historical and cultural milestones of various communities.
Doubts Revealed
Union Cabinet -: The Union Cabinet is a group of top government officials in India, including the Prime Minister and other important ministers. They make important decisions for the country.
Classical Language Status -: Classical Language Status is a special recognition given to languages that have a long history and rich literature. It helps preserve and promote these languages.
Marathi -: Marathi is a language spoken mainly in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It has a rich history and literature.
Pali -: Pali is an ancient language that was used in the early Buddhist scriptures. It is important for studying Buddhism.
Prakrit -: Prakrit is a group of ancient languages that were spoken in India. They are important for understanding ancient Indian culture and literature.
Assamese -: Assamese is a language spoken in the Indian state of Assam. It has a rich cultural and literary tradition.
Bengali -: Bengali is a language spoken in the Indian state of West Bengal and in Bangladesh. It is known for its rich literature and cultural heritage.
Ministry of Education -: The Ministry of Education is a part of the Indian government that focuses on education and learning. It helps support and promote languages and education in India.
