Maithili-Bhojpuri academy to be set up in Delhi: Cabinet

New Delhi, Jan 7 (UNI) The Delhi Cabinet today decided to establish a separate Maithili-Bhojpuri Academy under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

This was decided in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit here.

Briefing media after the meeting, Ms Dikshit said her Government would soon establish a new academy since Delhi has a sizeable number of Maithili and Bhojpuri speaking population with cultural identity.

Maithili has been included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India by the Constitution (Ninety Second Amendment) Act, 2003.

It has rich literary traditions and contributed great poets such as Vidyapati to Indian literary panorama.

Bhojpuri speaking population has a large numerical base in Delhi and deserves proper support and patronage from the State.

The cultural dimension of these two languages has already enriched Delhi for quite sometime and the 'Chhath Pooja' celebration has become an integral part of the Delhi's cultural calendar.

Therefore, there is a strong need to create a separate language academy for these two languages.

The proposed Maithili and Bhojpuri Language Academy would organise programmes, seminars, exhibitions and make arrangements for the translation of work of other languages.

It would also help in the publication of books related to these languages and support, recognise and give aid to the deserving institutions connected with these languages.

The academy would also support the upcoming and established authors for the publication of their work to enrich the regional literature.

With a view to promote and propagate various languages and unique cultural streaks related to these languages, the Delhi government has already established five language academies - Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sanskrit and Sindhi.

These academies extend support to literary activities and cultural traditions related to these languages.

The grant-in-aid to various language academies are given through Department of Art, Culture and Language.

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