Delhi govt to set up 12 language academies

With a view to promote the culture and tradition of different regional languages in the national Capital, the Delhi government on Thursday decided to set up 12 regional language academies across the city.

The AAP-led Delhi government's Art, Culture and Languages Department has been told to prepare a proposal for the formation of 12 language academies in the city. Instruction in this regard came from Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

The 12 languages include Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Assamese, Garwahali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari.

There are five major language academies already functioning in the national Capital for Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Sindhi and Bhojpuri.

"Since Delhi is the Capital, people from all parts of the country live and work here. It is this diversity that forms Delhi's vibrant and cosmopolitan culture," Sisodia, who is also in charge of the Art, Culture and Languages Department, said in an official order.

"I have found that language academies play an important role in not only promoting the languages of different parts of the country but also the culture and tradition of different regions of the country," he added.

The AAP dispensation in Delhi had announced, in its annual budget, that it shall set up multiple academies during the year.

Seeking to promote Sanskrit among Delhiites, the AAP government had on Wednesday announced that it would open 75 learning centres of the ancient language across the city.

Similarly, on Tuesday, the government decided to financially assist the opening of literary clubs in the national capital. In this regard, the Delhi government has proposed to constitute 'Sahitya Charcha Clubs' across the city for promotion of literature.