Marathi becomes official in three State courts

PARLI BEED, April 26: Chief Minister Manohar Joshi today declared that Marathi will be the legal language in three districts of Raigad, Wa...

PARLI BEED, April 26: Chief Minister Manohar Joshi today declared that Marathi will be the legal language in three districts of Raigad, Wardha and Jalna from May 1, 1998.

Speaking on the last day of the three-day Annual Marathi Literary Conference at Parli, Beed, Joshi said, initially, the three districts have been chosen to introduce Marathi language in the court but very soon the entire state will accept it. Deliberating on the future of Marathi language, Joshi urged that the language must be spoken and written in every administrative sphere. 8220;Sometimes, I deliver my speeches in English so as to remove doubts about my proficiency in English. But, now I have decided that if I go outside the State, I will speak only in Marathi,8221; he said.

He was unhappy with the negative effect the television channels have on youngsters and said that the Maharashtra government was worried about it. He said, 8220;The book culture was indeed dying.8221; To dilute the effect, Joshi announced that the State Government will startthe Mat Marathi8217; channel from May 1.

He also announced that the next Marathi literary conference will be held at Dadar, which happens to be his electoral constituency.

Renowned Jnanpeeth award winner and writer Mahashweta Devi was the chief guest on the last day of the conference. She addressed the gathering by speaking in Marathi. However, later she switched over to Hindi.

She spoke about the state and said she owned a lot to it. 8220;I have read a lot of Marathi books while writing my book on the Rani of Jhansi. Also in the early 50s8217;, I travelled a lot in Gwalior, Jhansi, Indore and Mumbai. Therefore, I have tremendous love and admiration for the language.8221;

She said she was quite impressed by the large gathering which included learned literatures, senior Cabinet ministers, young volunteers and mostly common readers. 8220;I have seen so much today that I will go to Bengal with fond memories,8221; she said.

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Mahashweta Devi also related some of her lifetime work with the adivasis and nomadic tribes. Sheurged the chief minister that a progressive state like Maharashtra should take the lead in erasing the derogatory remarks from the police files which demean certain tribes like Pardhis.