Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving Assamese the status of a classical language.

 The centre has approved to confer the status of classical language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali languages.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, taking to X, said, “On behalf of the people of Assam, I extend my gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and the entire Union Cabinet for the historic decision to accord Assamese the status of Classical Language. Assamese joins a select group of languages to enjoy this status.”

CM Sarma emphasised the importance of the central government’s decision to ‘preserve’ the language.

“This exemplifies the unique civilisational roots of Assam that has withstood the test of time. With today’s decision, we shall be able to better preserve our beloved mother tongue, which not only unites our society but also forms an unbroken link to the ancient wisdom of Assam’s saints, thinkers, writers and philosophers.” Sarma said on X.

“Given the sacrifices our generation has made to protect the Assamese language and culture, today is one of the happiest days in my life. Once again my heartfelt thanks to Adarniya Modi Ji, for his relentless efforts to secure Bharat’s Heritage,” Sarma wrote on X.

 Union Minister and Former Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal also expressed his gratitude on X describing the decision as “a matter of great joy.”

 “As an Assamese, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. Before today, only six languages of India were given the Classical Language tag. The addition of Assamese as a Classical Language of India is indeed a matter of great joy, and I would like to thank each and every person who has made huge contributions towards this recognition of our mother tongue. On behalf of the people of Assam, I express my deepest gratitude to Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji. I also thank Hon’ble HM Shri @AmitShah ji, Culture Minister Shri @gssjodhpur ji and Education Minister Shri @dpradhanbjp ji for their active role in the entire matter and to the Hon’ble CM Shri @himantabiswa led Assam Govt,” Sonowal said on X.

Sonowal said that this decision will pave the way for various employment opportunities.

 “The Govt has provided special assistance for the promotion and protection of Classical Languages. Apart from this, funding research, setting up of centres of excellence, introduction of special chairs for related languages in central universities, award of annual international awards for litterateurs, etc., have been provided. The recognition of Assamese as a Classical Language will also pave the way for various employment opportunities,” Sonowal said on X.

 The Government of India, has already conferred status of classical languages to Tamil in 2004, Sanskrit in 2005, Telugu in 2008, Kannada in 2008, Malayalam in 2013, and Odia in 2014.

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