#News | The Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) dedicated to the study of Classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit, with the aim of strengthening academic research, digitisation, preservation and dissemination of the heritage of these classical languages.
According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Language Division of the Department of Higher Education on October 1, the Centre of Excellence for Classical Assamese will be established at Tezpur University in Assam. The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to promote systematic study and preservation of India’s classical language traditions.
The other Centres of Excellence will be established for Classical Bengali at Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal; Classical Marathi at Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune; Classical Pali at Central University of Odisha; and Classical Prakrit at Central University of Gujarat.
The Centres will focus on academic research and the digitisation, preservation and wider dissemination of the linguistic and cultural heritage associated with these classical languages. The Ministry has also notified the respective institutions regarding the establishment of the centres.
Welcoming the decision, CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma described it as “a proud moment for every Assamese, in Assam, across India and around the world.” He said that following Assamese being accorded Classical Language status, efforts had been made to establish a dedicated centre for its study with the Government of India.
CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Centre at Tezpur University will strengthen research, digitisation, preservation and dissemination of Assam’s rich linguistic and literary heritage and help carry the legacy of the language to future generations. He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for the decision.
