“Proud moment for Odisha”: CM Mohan Charan Majhi welcomes Centre of Excellence for Classical Pali
CM Mohan Charan Majhi welcomes the Ministry of Education's decision to establish a Centre of Excellence for Classical Pali at Central University of Odisha.
In a major boost to the state's academic and cultural landscape, Odisha is set to host a dedicated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Classical Pali. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed the announcement as a "proud moment" for the state, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding India's profound linguistic and spiritual history.
A Milestone for Linguistic Heritage
The Ministry of Education has officially sanctioned the establishment of five specialized Centres of Excellence across the country. These centres are designed to focus on Classical Assamese, Classical Bengali, Classical Marathi, Classical Pali, and Classical Prakrit. The primary objective of this national initiative is to bolster academic research, facilitate the digitisation of ancient texts, and ensure the preservation and widespread dissemination of these classical languages.
The Central University of Odisha has been selected as the host institution for the Classical Pali centre. This placement is seen as a strategic move to deepen the study of a language that remains intrinsically linked to India’s intellectual and spiritual foundations.
CM Majhi Celebrates the Decision
Taking to social media to express his enthusiasm, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi noted that the move would significantly enhance Odisha's role in protecting the nation's civilisational knowledge.
"A proud moment for Odisha and a significant step towards preserving India’s rich linguistic heritage. The Ministry of Education’s approval of a Centre of Excellence for Classical Pali at the Central University of Odisha will strengthen the study, preservation and promotion of Pali, a language deeply connected with India’s intellectual, spiritual and cultural traditions," the Chief Minister stated.He extended his congratulations to the Central University of Odisha and all stakeholders involved in bringing this academic milestone to fruition.
National Rollout of Classical Language Centres
While Odisha takes the lead for Pali, other states will host centres dedicated to different classical languages as part of this comprehensive educational framework:
- Classical Assamese: To be established at Tezpur University in Assam.
- Classical Bengali: To be established at Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal.
- Classical Marathi: To be established at Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Classical Prakrit: To be established at the Central University of Gujarat.
These institutions are expected to create a robust framework for scholars and researchers, providing the necessary resources to study the literary and cultural nuances of India's most ancient tongues.