Context:
Centres for promotion of classical Telugu, Odia, Kannada and Malayalam demand autonomy for proper functioning
Classical languages:
- Languages that have a rich heritage and historical significance.
- Ministry – Ministry of Culture
- Criteria for Classical Language Status –
- Antiquity – The language must have a recorded history of at least 1500-2000 years.
- Rich Heritage – It should have a body of ancient literature or texts considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.
- Original Literary Tradition – The literary tradition should be original and not borrowed from another language community.
- Discontinuity – There should be a distinct difference between the classical language and its modern forms or derivatives
- Benefits of Classical Language Status –
- 2 major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages
- A Centre of Excellence for studies in Classical Languages is set up
- The University Grants Commission is requested to create, to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for the Classical Languages so declared.
List of Classical Languages in India (Total 6):
- Tamil (Declared in 2004)
- Sanskrit (Declared in 2005)
- Kannada (Declared in 2008)
- Telugu (Declared in 2008)
- Malayalam (Declared in 2013)
- Odia (Declared in 2014)
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February by UNESCO
