Two centers will be set up at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi to promote Marathi culture and history. Dedicated to the first Marathi identity and Maharashtra's beloved Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, it will focus on Maratha history, governance and military strategy.
Also, the second, named after the famous Marathi poet and writer Kusumagraj, to enhance the study of classical Marathi and promote research in literature and linguistics. Both these centers were inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the state's two Deputy Chief Ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, on July 24.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Minister of State for Marathi Language Uday Samant said that the aim of these initiatives is to provide students across the country with an in-depth understanding of Maharashtra's rich cultural and linguistic heritage.
Uday Samant said that JNU has agreed in principle to provide land on its campus for both these centers, where the state government will also erect a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
"I visited JNU two months ago and discussed this with the Vice Chancellor. During the discussion, I realised that the state government had given INR 2 crore to JNU 16 years ago to set up a Marathi Centre of Excellence and they wanted another INR 3 crore. As the Marathi Language Minister, I immediately approved the remaining funds. I insisted that the name of Kusumagraj be given," said Uday Samant.
When Eknath Shinde was the Chief Minister, he had given a grant of INR 10 crore for a study center focused on Shivaji Maharaj.
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