New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the celebration of International Abhidhamma Divas and recognition of Pali as a classical language on October 17 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi and will also address the gathering at the occasion.
Abhidhamma Divas commemorates the descent of Lord Buddha from the celestial realm after teaching Abhidhamma. The recent recognition of Pali as a classical language, along with four other languages, enhances the significance of this year's Abhidhamma Divas celebrations as Lord Buddha’s teachings on Abhidhamma are originally available in Pali language.
The International Abhidhamma Divas celebration, organised by the Central government and the International Buddhist Confederation, will see the participation of academicians and monks from 14 countries and a significant number of young experts on Buddha Dhamma from various universities across India.
On October 3 the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved to confer the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali languages.
The Classical Languages serve as a custodian of Bharat’s profound and ancient cultural heritage, embodying the essence of each community’s historical and cultural milestone.
The Union Cabinet approved the recognition of five more languages as "classical", Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, adding Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali have been included in the prestigious category.
"PM Modi has always focused on Indian languages…Today, five languages – Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali have been approved as classical languages," Vaishnaw said.
These languages join six others that have already been recognised as classical: Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
The central government decided to create a new category of languages as “Classical Languages” on October 12, 2004, declaring Tamil as a Classical Language and setting the following as criteria for the status of Classical Language: High Antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a thousand years. Secondly, a body of ancient literature/ texts is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers. Third, the literary tradition must be original and not borrowed from another speech community.
A Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC) was constituted by the Ministry of Culture under the Sahitya Akademi in November 2004 to examine the proposed languages for the status of Classical Language. The criteria were revised in November 2005 as follows: First, the high antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1,500-2,000 years. Second, a body of ancient literature/texts is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers. Third, the literary tradition is original and not borrowed from another speech community. Fourth, the classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots. Sanskrit was declared a Classical Language then.
--IANS
dan/
You may also like
'Never give up': UAE women share stories of strength, healing
Kashi residents express gratitude to PM Modi for approval of new rail-road bridge
Zakir Naik a fugitive, plea should not be entertained: Maha govt to SC
Erik ten Hag left sweating ahead of Man Utd vs Brentford as injury list hits double figures
Three-year-old British girl dies after falling into swimming pool in Spain
Nagas need to be united, live in peace for development of Nagaland: CM Neiphiu Rio
If there's a party in the evening, follow these tips for a rose-like glowing face
Tipping Point fans slam player for worst game play ever after blowing huge lead
Striker who missed AFCON over gender row nominated for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year
West Bengal: Woman's half-charred body found in Nadia, one held
Seven of family killed in car accident in Telangana's Medak; CM expresses grief
Spain reach Nations League quarters, Ronaldo's Portugal held by Scotland
Former AAP MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar moves to HC challenging his disqualification from Assembly
Is Sabrina Carpenter cursing sports teams? Why the singer seems to be a bad luck charm!
Daniel Levy agrees to meeting as Tottenham fans given hope on 'misguided' ticket price plan
National Lottery winner urged to come forward with winning £3.6million Set for Life ticket
Odisha Police busts fake call centre in Bhubaneswar, six held
Prince William issues defiant message to critics as he's quizzed in new ITV documentary
Renukaswamy murder case: Actor Darshan submits plea in Karnataka HC seeking bail
Keir Starmer has given huge clue on what fishing rights he'd give away to EU