Bangla for Classical Language, GangaSagar Mela for National Status | 20 Jan 2024

Source: IE, TH

Why in News?

Recently, West Bengal’s Chief Minister made headlines with two distinct pursuits: advocating for classical language status for Bangla, which is the world's 7^th most spoken language and seeking national fair status for the Gangasagar Mela.

What is Gangasagar Mela?

• About:
  • Gangasagar Mela, which takes place during Makar Sankrati (mid-January), is said to be India's second largest pilgrimage gathering after the Kumbh Mela.
  • This annual pilgrimage draws millions to Sagar Island at the confluence of the Ganges and Bay of Bengal and commemorates the legendary King Bhagirath's descent of the Ganges to Earth.
• Benefits of National Status:
  • Elevating the Mela to national status would bring increased central funding and infrastructure development, potentially boosting tourism and economic activity in West Bengal.
• Other Major Melas in India:
  • Kumbh Mela: It is celebrated four times every 12 years, the site of the observation rotating between four pilgrimages on the four sacred rivers at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.
    • Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela is held at only two places, Haridwar and Allahabad, every sixth year.
    • And a Maha Kumbh is held after every 144 years.
  • Pushkar Mela: Pushkar Mela is an annual five day camel and livestock fair held in the town of Pushkar, Rajasthan.
    • It is one of the world's largest cattle fairs.
  • Hemis Gompa Fair : In the northernmost corner of India, the chilly deserts of Ladakh celebrate a 300-year-old annual fair known as the Hemis Gompa Fair.
    • The Hemis Monastery commemorates the fair on the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.

What are Classical Languages?

• About:
  • In 2004, the Government of India decided to create a new category of languages called “classical languages”.
  • In 2006, it laid down the criteria for conferring classical language status. So far, the 6 languages are granted classical language status.

• Criteria:
  • High antiquity of early texts/recorded history spanning 1,500–2,000 years.
  • Possession of a body of ancient literature/texts considered valuable heritage by generations.
  • Presence of an original literary tradition not borrowed from another speech community.
  • The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.
• Benefits:
  • Once a language is declared classical, it gets financial assistance for setting up a center of excellence for the study of that language and also opens up an avenue for two major awards for scholars of eminence.
  • Besides, the University Grants Commission can be requested to create - to begin with at least in Central Universities, a certain number of professional chairs for classical languages for scholars of eminence in the language.