03 October,2026 09:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Minister Uday Samant, CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde at the inauguration of the `Classical Marathi Language Week` and `Classical Marathi Language Honour Day` in Mumbai on Saturday. PIC/X
Marathi should be used not only in daily life but also in modern fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, space technology and biotechnology, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday, calling for the language to be strengthened as a digital and knowledge language in the 21st century.
Fadnavis made the remarks while inaugurating the 'Classical Marathi Language Week' and 'Classical Marathi Language Honour Day' at Patkar Hall of Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University in Churchgate. The celebrations are being held following Marathi's recognition as a Classical Language by the Central Government.
"Marathi is not merely a medium of communication; it is a carrier of our rich culture and a witness to our glorious history," Fadnavis said, highlighting the language's extensive vocabulary, literary tradition and diverse dialects.
Fadnavis said Marathi had always been an ancient and classical language, but its official recognition as a Classical Language was a moment of pride for Marathi speakers. He said the recognition under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given Maharashtra's linguistic and cultural heritage a special place at the national level.
He also recalled Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's emphasis on the mother tongue alongside the concept of Swarajya and his efforts to increase the use of Marathi in administration.
Fadnavis said Marathi ranks 13th among the most widely spoken languages in the world and described it as a global language.
He further stated that the Marathi Encyclopaedia and Shabdarathnakar, compiled in the 20th century, contain 11 to 13 lakh words. In comparison, the Oxford Dictionary contains around six lakh words, while Mandarin, Spanish and French have approximately three to three-and-a-half lakh words, he said.
The Marathi dictionary published by the state government currently contains around three lakh words. Fadnavis stressed the need for subsequent editions and for expanding the documented vocabulary to 13 lakh words.
He said this linguistic wealth should not remain merely a matter of pride but should be effectively used in modern knowledge creation.
"If concepts in science, technology, economy, education and research are made available in Marathi, the language will truly become a language of knowledge," he said.
Fadnavis said communication mediums were changing rapidly because of digital technology and Marathi needed to be connected with new technologies.
He called for the effective use of Marathi in Artificial Intelligence through 'Marathi AI', greater availability of information and knowledge content in Marathi on digital platforms, and the creation of quality Marathi content on OTT platforms and social media.
He said Marathi should be used increasingly at home, in education, administration, business, technology and social media. Fadnavis said making knowledge content available in Marathi in advanced fields such as quantum computing, space technology and biotechnology would give the younger generation an opportunity to acquire modern knowledge in their mother tongue.
Fadnavis stressed the importance of preserving the dialects spoken across Maharashtra, saying they were an invaluable part of the language's heritage.
He mentioned dialects including Konkani, Varhadi, Khandeshi-Ahirani, Malvani, Dangi and Zadi Boli, saying they embodied local culture, folk traditions and experiences of life. He called for their literature, folk traditions and linguistic characteristics to be preserved.
He also highlighted Marathi theatre, saying several generations had kept its rich tradition alive despite having limited access to modern technological tools. Through their acting, writing and experimentation, artists had given Marathi theatre a distinct identity, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Marathi was not merely an identity of Maharashtra but also its pride, and noted that the language had reached communities across the world.
He further stated that the state government was committed to ensuring that Marathi's global expansion progressed further and called for increased use of the language in the digital world, social media, podcasts, gaming and coding.
Shinde said there was a resolve to promote and propagate Marathi in more than 50 countries. Along with establishing the 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Global Marathi Centre' in London, the next Vishwa Marathi Sahitya Sammelan would also be organised in London.
Around 70,000 to 80,000 Marathi people reside in London and initiatives including Marathi education, courses and certificate examinations are being conducted through Maharashtra Mandal, stated Shinde.
Work is also underway to establish the Global Marathi Centre in London, and a Maharashtra Mandal building has been purchased, he said.
Shinde appealed to people to promote a culture of gifting Marathi books instead of bouquets on birthdays, felicitation ceremonies and other occasions. He said initiatives such as the Marathi Language Policy, 'Village of Books' and 'Village of Poetry' were being implemented to promote Marathi and the reading culture.
Minister for Marathi Language and Industries Dr Uday Samant said the state government was committed to preserving, promoting and expanding Marathi language and culture globally.
Samant said a 'Centre of Excellence' for the Marathi language at Deccan University in Pune, a 'Global Marathi Centre' named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in London, 100 dictionaries documenting various dialects of the state, and 'Marathi Skill Development Centres' at nine locations were being established.
He said initiatives were also being undertaken to strengthen interaction with Marathi-speaking communities abroad. The 'Namo Samvad' programme had been launched in 75 countries on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, while online training arrangements were also being made for Marathi communities abroad.
The number of international Marathi forums had currently reached 52, with a target of increasing it to 75, he said.
Samant also said the state government was expediting the establishment of a 'Literature Museum' and a modern 'Marathi Bhasha Bhavan', taking note of the long-standing demand of litterateurs.
He said initiatives such as the sub-centre at Airoli, 'Village of Books' and 'Village of Poetry' were also being implemented.
Kiran Kulkarni, Secretary of the Marathi Language Department, said Marathi's linguistic tradition could be traced nearly 2,500 years back to the 'Gatha Saptashati' and did not begin only during the periods of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj or Chakradhar Swami.
He said the department was committed to researching and preserving this linguistic heritage and transmitting it to the new generation through modern technology.
Kulkarni said that after Marathi was accorded Classical Language status, work had been underway over the past two years to take its classical status, linguistic tradition and knowledge heritage to the common people.
He said this year's focus was on promoting and preserving Marathi with the youth at the centre.
The work of compiling the Vishwakosh, which began under the guidance of Tarkatirtha Lakshmanshastri Joshi, has now been integrated with modern technology. Work to make the knowledge contained in the Vishwakosh available to the public in digital form is progressing rapidly, and the entire Vishwakosh will be available digitally on a portal from this month, Kulkarni said.
At the beginning of the programme, dignitaries were welcomed with books. The book 'Marathiche Kautuk Part-2' was released on the occasion, followed by a cultural programme based on the theme 'Classical Marathi, Proud Marathi'.
