20 July,2026 06:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis stated that the focus should now shift towards implementing concrete policies. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the State Marathi Development Institute to prepare and implement an effective action plan for the preservation, promotion and development of the Marathi language.
Fadnavis issued the instructions during a meeting of the governing council of the State Marathi Development Institute held at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai.
He also directed officials to prepare an advance schedule of all statutory meetings for the year to ensure continuity, transparency and better functioning of the institute.
The Chief Minister said that after clearing administrative and statutory backlogs, the institute's structure has become stronger.
He emphasised that the focus should now shift towards implementing concrete policies for the promotion, expansion, research and preservation of Marathi.
Fadnavis also assured that pending issues related to employees of the institute would be addressed positively.
During the meeting, members suggested several initiatives to strengthen Marathi language and its diverse cultural traditions.
Suggestions included expanding initiatives such as 'Village of Books' and 'Book Box Libraries' to ensure quality Marathi literature reaches schools in tribal and border areas.
Members also proposed establishing a theatre complex in the Gadchiroli-Wadsa region to preserve the Jhadiboli dialect and traditional theatre practices of eastern Vidarbha.
The preservation of folk art forms such as Bharud, Gondhal and Powada, along with promoting children's literature and children's libraries, were also discussed.
Fadnavis assured that all suggestions would be considered positively.
The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the digitisation project involving around 15 lakh historical documents written in the Modi script in Thanjavur.
The meeting also discussed speeding up work on the proposed global Marathi centre being established in London in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Marathi language Minister Uday Samant said efforts were underway to establish 75 international Brihan Maharashtra Mandals to promote Marathi globally.
He added that a chair named after poet Kusumagraj has been established at Jawaharlal Nehru University, while a postgraduate course on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's guerrilla warfare strategy has also been introduced.
The government has also decided to establish a Yashwantrao Chavan Translation Committee to make quality literature from Indian and global languages available in Marathi.
