06 August,2026 03:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. Pic/Special Arrangement
More than one lakh non-Marathi commercial passenger vehicle drivers across Maharashtra have completed functional Marathi training under the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Marathi Learning Campaign, according to the state Transport Department.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the campaign has received an encouraging response from commercial drivers and urged those who have not yet participated to complete the training before the August 15 deadline.
Speaking at a review meeting of the campaign, Sarnaik said learning functional Marathi would help improve communication with passengers while fostering greater cultural understanding.
"If you want to earn a livelihood in Maharashtra, you must build a connection with Marathi. This is not a language of compulsion, but of belonging. Every driver who speaks a few words of Marathi with passengers becomes an ambassador of Maharashtra's culture," he said.
The review meeting was attended by Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, senior litterateur Pradeep Dhawan, and representatives of the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad.
Sarnaik said Marathi represents the state's cultural identity and encouraged those working in Maharashtra to respect and use the language while interacting with the public.
"Marathi is not merely a language of communication but the soul of Maharashtra's identity and culture. It is our sincere appeal that everyone who earns a livelihood here should respect Marathi. Using Marathi while interacting with passengers will not only make communication easier but will also strengthen the bonds of warmth and mutual respect between people," he said.
According to the minister, the campaign has gained significant participation from non-Marathi residents following Marathi being accorded Classical Language status. He said the voluntary response from participants reflects a willingness to learn the language and improve communication with passengers.
Sarnaik also said the campaign, organised jointly by the State Marathi Language Department, Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad, has expanded into a statewide initiative involving commercial passenger vehicle drivers.
He added that drivers who complete the programme are contributing to improved public interaction while demonstrating respect for Maharashtra's linguistic and cultural heritage.
The campaign, which began on May 1, is scheduled to conclude on August 17 with a closing ceremony at Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane.
According to the Transport Department, the event is expected to be attended by the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, and Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant.
During the programme, thousands of drivers who have successfully completed the functional Marathi training course will receive certificates issued by the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad.
The Transport Department has appealed to all remaining non-Marathi commercial passenger vehicle drivers to complete the training by August 15. It said the initiative aims to promote functional Marathi proficiency among drivers to facilitate smoother communication with passengers while encouraging respect for the state's language and culture.
