On January 8, Marathi language has been officially granted classical language status after the release of a Government Resolution (GR).
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat handed over the government order officially recognizing Marathi as a classical language to Maharashtra Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant during their meeting in Delhi.
However, the Union Cabinet had given the status of classical language to Marathi along with Assamese, Bengali, Pali and Prakrit on October 3 last year, but no official notification was issued in this regard.
Mr Samant said this is a dream come true for Marathi speakers in Maharashtra and across the world.
Furthermore, he announced that the Maharashtra government would soon submit a proposal to the central government outlining the benefits available to classical languages as per established rules.
Samant said Union Minister Shekhawat will also visit Pune on January 31, February 1 and 2, to inaugurate the Marathi World Conference.
Tamil was the first language to be given classical status in 2004. Sanskrit received classical status in 2005.
