Marathi Language Bhavan Should Be Excellent and of High Quality – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Mumbai : With the recognition of Marathi as a classical language, Marathi’s prominence is set to increase significantly. The Marathi Language Bhavan being constructed in Mumbai for the preservation and development of the Marathi language should be excellent and of high quality, stated Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He emphasized the need to work more vigorously through this Bhavan to enrich and advance the Marathi language.

The foundation stone of the ‘Marathi Language Bhavan,’ to be established in the Jawahar Bal Bhavan Complex, Charni Road (West), was laid by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde via video conferencing. The ceremony also marked the inauguration and foundation laying of various development projects funded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Development Fund and the District Annual Plan under Mumbai City District.

The event was attended by Assembly Speaker Adv. Rahul Narvekar, Minister for School Education and Marathi Language and Guardian Minister of Mumbai City District Deepak Kesarkar, Minister for Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation and Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban District Mangalprabhat Lodha, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Council Dr. Neelam Gorhe, MLA and Siddhivinayak Trust President Sada Sarvankar, local representatives, BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Chief Secretary of the Marathi Language Department Manisha Mhaiskar, Principal Secretary of the Higher and Technical Education Department Vikashchandra Rastogi, Principal Secretary of the School Education Department I.A. Kundan, BMC Additional Commissioner Ashwini Joshi, Mumbai City District Collector Sanjay Yadav, renowned writer Madhu Mangesh Karnik, Chairman of the Marathi Language Advisory Committee Dr. Lakshmikant Deshmukh, and others.

Chief Minister Shinde expressed happiness that a suitable location has been found for the Marathi Language Bhavan and that the foundation stone was laid with the sea as a witness. He assured that the Bhavan would be of high quality and that it would significantly contribute to the preservation, research, and promotion of Marathi language. He also stated that suggestions from literary and other fields would be considered for the Bhavan.

He further mentioned that the Marathi language, over 2,000 years old, has gained the status of a classical language due to the contributions of many. He acknowledged that the concerted efforts of all have resulted in this prestigious recognition for Marathi.

He praised the saints who showcased the beauty of Marathi through Abhang, Gavalan, and Bharud, and the literary community that enriched the language. He pledged to undertake every possible initiative for the development of the Marathi language.

Chief Minister Shinde added that while creating infrastructure in the state, the government has prioritized improving the quality of life for the general public through welfare schemes. Programs such as the Chief Minister’s My Beloved Sister Scheme, Lek Ladki, and Vayoshri provide support to the people. Alongside implementing welfare schemes, development in the state is progressing rapidly with major projects like the Coastal Road, Atal Setu, Metro, and Samruddhi Highway.

During his speech, Marathi Language Minister Kesarkar assured that a Bhavan would be built that would make Marathi speakers and writers proud. With the classical language status, Marathi’s prominence has further increased, and the government is implementing various initiatives for the preservation and development of Marathi. He also mentioned the construction of a Literature Bhavan in Mumbai for visiting writers, to be named after poet Mangesh Padgaonkar, and plans for a new building for the Vishwakosh Mandal in Satara and a ‘Book Village’ in each district.

Senior writer Madhu Mangesh Karnik also expressed his thoughts on the occasion.

At the event, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of a Marathi Literature Bhavan in Airoli, Navi Mumbai, along with the inauguration and foundation laying of various development projects funded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Development Fund and the District Annual Plan (2024-25). These projects include:

• Foundation laying for the construction of Savitribai Phule Women’s Hostel
• Inauguration of facilities for children, including an auditorium, music room, library, etc., at Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Mumbai
• Foundation laying for hostels at Sir J.J. School of Art and Sir J.J. College of Architecture
• Foundation laying for boys’ and girls’ hostels at Government Polytechnic College, Bandra
• Foundation laying for the administrative building of Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, Bandra
• Foundation laying for a new modern training and skill development center in Worli, Mumbai
• Inauguration/foundation laying for police housing in Naigaon, Dadar, Byculla, Sewri, Sion (Shiv), and Worli
• Inauguration of child reform facilities at Dongri, David Sassoon, and Umarkhadi
• Launch of Panchakarma facilities at Podar Hospital, Worli, to promote Indian medicine to citizens and international tourists
• Inauguration of air-conditioned restrooms for MSRTC conductors/drivers at Central Bus Stand and Mumbai Central
• Inauguration of renovated Hutatma Babu Genu Mumbai Mill Workers’ Bhavan and various sports facilities
• Foundation laying for fisheries development programs
• Foundation laying for the development of the Mumbadevi Temple and Mahalaxmi Temple premises
• Inauguration of cultural halls and libraries created under J.J. Flyover
• Inauguration of a food plaza at Badhwar Park, Mumbai
• Inauguration of Pink Toilets in Ward A to D
• Inauguration of modernized Fashion Street
• Inauguration of reading rooms and study centers in Dalit localities
• Launch of convenience facilities for senior citizens and women
• Inauguration of terrace kitchen gardens in 103 BMC schools
• Inauguration of CCTV projects for student safety in city schools
• Presentation of approved projects at Shri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple
• Dadar Chowpatty shoreline reclamation
• Installation of lifts in old MHADA buildings
• Inauguration of ward renovations and medical equipment at Sir J.J. Hospital
• Renovation and repair of grade IV staff quarters at Worli Dairy

These various development projects under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the District Planning Committee are included in the initiative.