Classical Status to Odiya Language
The Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch has said that the Linguistic Experts' Committee, which has been constituted by the Government of India to consider demands for categorization of languages as Classical Languages, in its meeting held on 23.7.2013 has recommended Odiya to be declared as classical language.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Smt. Katoch said, as per Government of India's Resolution No. 2-16/2004-US(Akademies) dated November 1, 2004, the benefits that will accrue to a language declared as "Classical Language" are as follows:
(i) Two major international awards for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages are awarded annually.
(ii) A 'Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages' is set up.
(iii) The University Grants Commission be requested to create, to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for Classical Languages for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages.
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