As part of a large-scale campaign that lasted 105 days, about 1.25 lakh auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra underwent training in practical Marathi proficiency. This was personally announced by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday.
During the event held in Thane, participants were awarded certificates. Eknath Shinde emphasized that Marathi is a language of affection and respect, not an imposed necessity. He noted that the voluntary adoption of this language by the populace demonstrates the cultural unity of the state.
The campaign, which continued for about three and a half months, attracted over 165,600 transport sector workers to register. The program 'Hindukridaisamrat Balasaheb Thakre Marathi Bhasha Kurpakate Abhiyan' was launched in Maharashtra with the aim of educating the public in Marathi.
The organizers of this project were the Maharashtra Transport Department, the State Institute for Marathi Development, the Mumbai Literary Society of Marathi, and the Konkan Literary Council of Marathi. Deputy Chief Minister Shinde called this initiative a strong beginning.
Eknath Shinde stated that the true strength of Maharashtra lies in its attachment to the native language and respect for Marathi. Expressing gratitude to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, he stressed that the language is being learned out of love, not due to legislative requirements. He urged the residents of Maharashtra to communicate with those learning Marathi, the official language of the state, instead of mocking them.
During this event, Shinde also mentioned decisions he made during his tenure as Chief Minister. He spoke about granting Marathi the status of a classical language, measures to support higher education for girls, providing a 50% discount on state transport buses for women, and including the mother's name in official records.
Returning to his past, Shinde highly praised the decisions made by the government for transport workers. He insisted on the need to protect the linguistic identity of Maharashtra, asserting that language should unite people, not divide them.
Marathi Minister Uday Samant reported that the next phase of the campaign will focus on deepening the understanding of Marathi among drivers so they can bring their knowledge to a literary level.
Previously, the Maharashtra government issued new rules making Marathi proficiency mandatory for taxi and ride-sharing drivers. These rules require all authorized taxi drivers and permit holders to know Marathi. Drivers who do not know the language are given one month to learn it.
Strict provisions have also been introduced: non-compliance with the rules can lead to the suspension of taxi and ride-sharing licenses for up to three months. In case of systematic violation, the permit may be revoked. Furthermore, knowing Marathi is also required to renew a taxi permit.