ABP Majha-organized special conclave, Abhijat Marathi, on the occasion of Marathi language day, saw State politicians cutting across party lines agree on one thing: Marathi should be promoted as an elite language.

The conclave included an on-ground event on February 25 and 26 where speakers from all walks of life spoke on the history and significance of the Marathi language.

The event was held at Welingkar Institute of Management’s auditorium and was telecast on Saturday and Sunday on ABP Majha throughout the day.

The conclave provided the perfect platform for the speakers to share their views on the growing demand of assigning an elite status to Marathi language. This demand has been gathering pace for quite a few years as the State administration has been pushing the central government on this demand, ABP Network said in a press release.

Several eminent politicians, activists, academicians, directors, writers and singers shared anecdotal examples and stressed upon the cultural significance of the Marathi language.

On the first day of the conclave, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray addressed the audience emphasizing upon the need for using Marathi language with pride across Maharashtra.

He further stated that Marathi language is at the heart of Maharashtra’s existence and paid tribute to historical figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for creating the first Marathi dictionary. He also praised the efforts of artists and Marathi literary figures who have played a major role in the development of the language.

Sharing his ideas on using Marathi language with pride, he drew upon the example of the Mantralaya in Bengal where popular works of Bengali artists are displayed and Bengali songs are constantly played on the premises. He questioned: why can’t such pride-invoking steps be taken at the Mantralaya in Maharashtra?

Thackeray opined that the existence of languages does not depend only on assigning an elite status, but how the governments and society collectively contribute towards enriching and sustaining the language.

Some of the highlights of the event are as follows:

Vinod Tawde:  “We have to put faith in the hearts of the Marathi people about the Marathi language and it is only us who have to do this. Today, the importance being given to the English language should be given to the Marathi language as well. Work needs to be put in for Marathi Centre or building.”

Subhash Desai: “We, i.e. India, should also do the same usage or experiment, as done by Singapore. Nowadays, people are afraid that if they do not know any other language than Marathi, they might not get employment anywhere. People should get out of this thinking.

“We should teach our history to our kids and that our mother tongue is as important as English. We should also give priority to our vernacular language.”

Supriya Sule:  “Learning Marathi is important. But, we should change ourselves with the times. Now, English is having international importance. If we have to keep pace with the world, then we should learn it.

“I want my daughter to learn the language, which I learnt. We have to think of the means through which we can register it at digital level. Today’s young generation can learn both languages. These days, the Marathi language books are available online. But, today’s children don’t have the habit of reading. If they have the desire to learn then both the children and their guardians can get those books and read them.

“Book stalls, which have been installed by the Maharashtra government are available at many places. But, the question is: how much the people would like to utilise them? This is a point to ponder. We can make people understand this language through virtual classrooms.”