The
Union Cabinet today gave its approval for classifying Odia as classical
language.
This will give
impetus to scholarship in this language. The following benefits are available
for languages which are declared as classical languages: -
i.Two
major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in the concerned
language.
ii.
A `Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages` can be set up.
iii.The
University Grants Commission can be requested to create, to start with at least
in Central Universities, a certain number of professional chairs for classical
languages, for scholars of eminence in the concerned language.
Background:
There
has been a demand that Odia, which is one of the oldest languages and has no
resemblance to Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali, Telugu, etc., be declared as a
classical language. So far Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam
have been declared as classical languages.
