In a move to preserve and celebrate India's diverse cultural heritage, the Union Cabinet has approved the status of classical language to five Indian languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This brings the total number of recognized classical languages to 11, with the government acknowledging their significance in preserving the country's rich history and tradition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee both took to social media to express their delight at this decision, emphasizing the importance of promoting regional languages in India.
India's Five New Classical Languages: Preserving Cultural Heritage
In a significant move to safeguard and celebrate India's diverse linguistic tapestry, the Union Cabinet has designated five Indian languages as classical languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This brings the total number of recognized classical languages in India to 11.
Background
Classical languages are those that have a rich literary history spanning at least 1500 years. They have a standardized grammar and syntax, and their literature is considered to be of high literary and cultural value.
Prior to this decision, six languages had been recognized as classical in India: Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia.
Significance of the Designation
The designation as a classical language brings several benefits to these languages:
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the significance of classical language status?
Classical language status signifies the language's rich literary history, standardized grammar, and cultural importance. It helps preserve and promote the language.
2. What are the benefits of classical language status?
Benefits include financial support for research, teaching, and literary activities; recognition of the language's historical and cultural significance; and encouragement of its use in public and educational domains.
3. What is the criteria for classical language status?
Languages must have a literary history of at least 1500 years, a standardized grammar and syntax, and a rich collection of literature that is considered to be of high literary and cultural value.
4. How many classical languages are there in India now?
With the addition of these five languages, India now has 11 classical languages: Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
5. What is the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in promoting classical languages?
Prime Minister Modi has been a strong advocate for the recognition and promotion of regional languages. He has emphasized their importance in preserving India's cultural heritage and fostering national unity.
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