Over 1 lakh non-Marathi drivers complete functional Marathi training under Maharashtra campaign

More than one lakh nonMarathi commercial passenger vehicle drivers across Maharashtra have completed functional Marathi training under the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Marathi Learning Campaign according to the state Transport DepartmentMaharashtra 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 deadlineSpeaking at a review meeting of the campaign Sarnaik said learning functional Marathi would help improve communication with passengers while fostering greater cultural understandingIf 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 Maharashtras culture he saidThe 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 ParishadMinister highlights importance of Marathi in public interactionSarnaik said Marathi represents the states cultural identity and encouraged those working in Maharashtra to respect and use the language while interacting with the publicMarathi is not merely a language of communication but the soul of Maharashtras 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 saidAccording to the minister the campaign has gained significant participation from nonMarathi 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 passengersSarnaik 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 driversHe added that drivers who complete the programme are contributing to improved public interaction while demonstrating respect for Maharashtras linguistic and cultural heritageCampaign to conclude on August 17The campaign which began on May 1 is scheduled to conclude on August 17 with a closing ceremony at Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan in ThaneAccording 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 SamantDuring the programme thousands of drivers who have successfully completed the functional Marathi training course will receive certificates issued by the Konkan Marathi Sahitya ParishadThe Transport Department has appealed to all remaining nonMarathi 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 states language and culture