Maharashtra Seeks Centre of Excellence for Marathi

Maharashtra's Minister for Marathi Language Uday Samant announced that the state government has formally requested the Union government to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Marathi, which received classical language status in October 2024. According to the standard operating procedure, such centers typically take 12 years to set up - Tamil received grants 16 years after its 2004 classical status, while Sanskrit and Telugu faced similar delays.

Despite the wait for central approval, Maharashtra has proactively launched several initiatives including the *Vishwa Marathi Sammelan* and various literary conventions. The government plans to establish a Global Marathi Language Centre in London, named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in a historic building purchased for Rs 5 crore. Additionally, the *Marathi Bhasha Bhavan* at Charni Road, Mumbai is scheduled for completion by December 2027, with a sub-center planned for Airoli at Rs 34 crore. The state has already established 39 of 75 proposed forums to promote Marathi worldwide, demonstrating commitment to language preservation even while awaiting central funding.