KUWAIT: The Indian Embassy in Kuwait hosted a special event to celebrate the recent conferment of Classical Language status by the Government of India to Marathi, Bengali and Assamese, along with Pali and Prakrit. Ambassador of India to Kuwait Dr Adarsh Swaika, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the significance of this recognition for linguistic and cultural preservation.
The event saw participation from the presidents of the Maharashtra Mandal, Bengali Cultural Society and Assamese Association in Kuwait, as well as members of the media and community. Dr Swaika expressed satisfaction at the active involvement of the Indian diaspora, remarking that 60-70 percent of the one-million-strong Indian community in Kuwait speaks a native language that now holds Classical Language status.
In his speech, the ambassador highlighted that the concept of "Classical Language” was introduced in 2004, with Tamil being the first to receive this recognition. Since then, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia have joined the list. Now, with Marathi, Bengali and Assamese added, these languages serve as "custodians of Bharat’s profound and ancient cultural heritage,” the ambassador noted. He outlined the criteria for a language to qualify as classical, which includes antiquity of 1,500-2,000 years, a rich body of ancient texts and evidence of distinct historical and literary heritage.
Ambassador Swaika also elaborated on the government’s efforts to promote Classical Languages, mentioning the establishment of universities, research centers, and awards to encourage the study and preservation of these languages. He noted that the recognition opens up educational and employment opportunities, particularly in archiving, translation, publishing, and digital media. "By elevating these languages, the government acknowledges India’s linguistic diversity and emphasizes the need to preserve these rich heritages for future generations,” he said.
The event featured cultural performances representing Maharashtra, Bengal and Assam. Dr Swaika thanked the participating associations and expressed his enthusiasm for the artistic contributions from the three regions. The evening concluded with community leaders sharing their thoughts on this recognition.