Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday welcomed the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision to include Maithili as a native language in the curriculum from Class 1 to the secondary level, terming it “a matter of pride for Mithila’s cultural identity and linguistic heritage.”
“This decision, aimed at giving a stronger place to Mithila’s rich cultural heritage and native language Maithili in the education system, is historic and highly welcome. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian languages, culture, and traditions are continuously receiving renewed strength in terms of preservation and promotion,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that the decision would not only give the Maithili language a new identity and greater recognition, but would also serve as a strong medium to connect future generations with their native language, culture, and roots.
BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi described the move as a historic step towards giving Mithila’s culture and the Maithili language a strong and respectable place in the education system.
He noted that there had long been a demand for the protection, promotion, and wider inclusion of Maithili in the education system, adding that the decision was a matter of pride and honour for the entire Mithilanchal region and Bihar.
Saraogi said language is not merely a medium of communication, but also a carrier of a society’s culture, history, traditions, values, and collective consciousness. He said the Maithili language has enriched literature, philosophy, folk culture, and social awareness for centuries.
“From the tradition of the great poet Vidyapati to Mithila’s folk heritage, Maithili has remained an important part of Indian civilisation,” he said.
The BJP state president added that it was now the responsibility of all sections of society to play an active role in the preservation and promotion of their mother tongue.