The Status of Classical Language is an Honor for the Language of Dnyaneshwar Mauli and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj” – Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan

Mumbai : Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Cabinet for granting classical language status to five languages, including Marathi. “This day will be written in golden letters in the history of Maharashtra and the Marathi language,” he said.

Marathi, the language of many saints and social reformers of Maharashtra, including Sant Dnyaneshwar Mauli, Sant Chakradhar Swami, and Jagadguru Sant Tukaram, has been honored with the recognition of a classical language. The beloved Marathi language, spoken by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Kranti Jyoti Savitribai Phule, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Lokmanya Tilak, Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, and numerous freedom fighters and revolutionaries, is now appreciated by all.

“I am thankful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for bestowing upon My Marathi the long-awaited classical language status,” the Governor said. He also expressed his happiness that Pali, Prakrit, Bengali, and Assamese have similarly been recognized as classical languages.

Governor Radhakrishnan expressed hope that this recognition of Marathi as a classical language would inspire more people, particularly youth and children, to learn, speak, and write Marathi, striving to make it a universal language. On this joyous occasion, he congratulated the people of Maharashtra and Marathi speakers around the world.

On behalf of the 12 crore people of Maharashtra, Governor Radhakrishnan expressed heartfelt gratitude in his message.