More than one lakh non-Marathi commercial passenger vehicle drivers across Maharashtra have successfully completed functional Marathi training under the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Marathi Learning Campaign, according to the Maharashtra Transport Department.
Reviewing the campaign's progress, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik described the response as encouraging and urged the remaining eligible drivers to complete the training before the August 15 deadline.
Addressing the review meeting, Sarnaik said the initiative is designed to help commercial drivers communicate more effectively with passengers while fostering respect for Maharashtra's language and cultural heritage.
He stressed that Marathi should be viewed as a language of belonging rather than compulsion, adding that those who earn a livelihood in Maharashtra should make an effort to connect with the state's linguistic identity.
According to the minister, drivers who greet and interact with passengers in Marathi not only improve customer experience but also serve as ambassadors of Maharashtra's rich culture.
The review meeting was attended by Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, senior litterateur Pradeep Dhawan, and representatives from the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad.
Sarnaik noted that the campaign has witnessed significant participation from non-Marathi residents, particularly after Marathi was granted Classical Language status. He said the voluntary response reflects a growing willingness among drivers to learn the language and engage more effectively with passengers.
The campaign is being jointly conducted by the Maharashtra Government's Marathi Language Department, Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, and the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad. What began as a language-learning initiative has now expanded into a statewide movement promoting better public interaction and linguistic harmony.
The Transport Department said the programme focuses on teaching functional Marathi to commercial passenger vehicle drivers, enabling them to communicate more confidently with commuters. Officials believe the initiative will strengthen interactions between drivers and passengers while encouraging greater appreciation for Maharashtra's linguistic and cultural heritage.
Launched on May 1, the Marathi Learning Campaign will conclude with a closing ceremony on August 17 at Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane.
The event is expected to be attended by the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, along with Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant.
During the ceremony, thousands of drivers who have successfully completed the functional Marathi course will receive certificates issued by the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad.
The Transport Department has once again appealed to all remaining non-Marathi commercial passenger vehicle drivers to complete the training by August 15, highlighting that the initiative aims to improve communication with passengers while strengthening respect for Maharashtra's language, culture, and shared social values.
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