Rs35.7 lakh push to document, preserve Madiya language
2
Nagpur: The state govt has sanctioned Rs35.73 lakh for the Madiya Language Project at Riddhapur's Marathi Language University to safeguard one of the rarest Gond languages, spoken only in select pockets of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli.
Madiya, a dialect steeped in oral traditions, songs and folklore, survives mainly among scattered Gond hamlets in Vidarbha's forest belt, especially in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts. However, decades of migration and the growing dominance of mainstream languages have left it vulnerable, with fewer young speakers carrying it forward.
A Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Marathi Language Department on Monday confirmed the sanction under the State Marathi Development Institute's grants.
The amount will fund the project's further work — part of an ongoing initiative to document the dialect in a systematic manner.
Vice-chancellor Dr Avinash Awalgaonkar told TOI that the project aligns with the university's expanded mandate following discussions in Mumbai after Marathi was granted the status of a classical language. "One important point that came to the fore was the conservation of other Marathi dialects spoken in various parts of Maharashtra.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Retalhuleu: Kitchen Remodeling Trends in 2025 May Surprise You
Kitchen Remodeling | Search ads
Search Now
Undo
The state has entrusted the university with that responsibility."
In one of the first such initiatives, led by researcher Manjiri Paranjpe who has worked extensively on Madiya, the university will be publishing her and her team's work. "The university will pitch wherever the gaps are needed to be fulfilled. This includes various documents, vocabulary lists, dictionaries, and books purely on the Madiya language," Dr Awalgaonkar said.
The Madiya project is just the beginning. The VC said, "We also have other proposals in the pipeline. There are many such dialects, especially among the tribals, which are on the verge of extinction and that need to be conserved, documented for future generations."
The GR notes that the Madiya Language Project was initiated to document the dialect and ensure its preservation in written form. The latest funding will support this effort, with the goal of creating a permanent linguistic record.
Language scholars believe the project could serve as a model for preserving other endangered tribal tongues in Maharashtra. By formally documenting Madiya, they say, the university is helping ensure that the Gond community's voice — and the worldview embedded in its words — will not fade into silence.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
World Elephant Day 2025: Date, theme, history, significance and all you need to know
Representative Image(Source: Canva) Every year on August 12, people around the world stop for a moment to think about elephants. World Elephant Day is not just another date on the calendar, it's a global call to protect one of the most extraordinary animals we share the planet with. The day began in 2012. Canadian filmmaker Patricia Sims, along with Thailand's Elephant Reintroduction Foundation, launched it after the release of Return to the Forest, a short film narrated by William Shatner. The film followed the reintroduction of captive Asian elephants back into the wild. From that spark, over 100 conservation groups and countless individuals joined in. Now, the movement spans continents. The three living species of elephants Representative Image(Source: Canva) There are only three living species of elephants : African savanna (bush) elephant ( Loxodonta africana ): The largest land animal alive today, found across sub-Saharan Africa. African forest elephant ( Loxodonta cyclotis ): Smaller, quieter, living deep in the forests of West and Central Africa. Critically endangered. Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus ): Ranges across South and Southeast Asia. Endangered. Includes subspecies like the Indian, Sri Lankan, and Sumatran elephants. African elephants have larger ears shaped like the African continent. Asian elephants have smaller, rounded ears. Not all Asian elephants have tusks; in some, only males do. Forest elephants have straighter tusks and more rounded ears than their savanna cousins. Why elephants matter to ecosystems Representative Image(Source: Canva) Elephants are more than just big. They are keystone species —take them away, and entire ecosystems change. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo They knock down trees, clear paths, and dig water holes. Other animals follow. Seeds travel in elephant dung, sprouting into new forests and grasslands. The open spaces they create become homes for birds, insects, and smaller mammals. In many countries, elephants are sacred symbols. In others, they drive tourism, which funds conservation. The threats they face Poaching remains the biggest killer. The illegal ivory trade continues despite bans. In Africa, tens of thousands of elephants are lost each year to criminal networks. Demand for ivory still exists, especially in parts of Asia. Even with China's ban and the closure of 172 ivory-processing factories, the trade persists through neighboring countries. There is also trophy hunting. In Tanzania, elephants known as 'super-tuskers' have been targeted. These bulls carry enormous tusks and vital genetic traits. Conservationists argue they are worth far more alive, socially, genetically, and economically, than as a hunting prize. Habitat loss adds another blow. Expanding farms, roads, and settlements shrink elephant ranges, bringing them into conflict with people. Why does World Elephant Day matter? This day is about more than awareness. It is about shifting behavior, supporting anti-poaching work, choosing ethical tourism, and protecting the habitats elephants depend on. The 2025 theme, 'Matriarchs & Memories,' focuses on the leadership of elephant matriarchs and the women working to protect these animals. Elephants remember. They shape the land. They carry seeds and stories through generations. World Elephant Day is about making sure those stories do not end.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
State launches initiative to boost marine biotech research, innovation & blue economy
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC), a pioneering research initiative aimed at fostering marine biotech startups, was inaugurated by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday. The platform is designed to leverage local resources while adhering to global standards. Majhi said the initiative by the science and technology department is poised to significantly impact environmental protection, science-based tourism, investment, employment and livelihood support for coastal communities. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the department and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the ministry of earth sciences. Additionally, six higher education institutes in Odisha have partnered with the state govt to provide research and development support for the initiative. T by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Effective Are Non-Surgical Treatments for Aging Skin? (Explore Benefits) AskLayers Learn More Undo he CM emphasised that the platform will serve as a beacon of hope for the scientific community and innovation, not only in Odisha but across the nation and world. It aims to transform the blue economy and contribute significantly to national economic growth. "As the world increasingly looks to the oceans for solutions to pressing challenges such as sustainable food systems and climate resilience, Odisha is taking a bold and visionary step forward," Majhi noted. Aligning with the vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit India 2047, OMBRIC would connect the lab to the land, translating research into real-world impact. From gene discovery to bioactive molecules, bioremediation to nutraceuticals, thw initiative covers the entire pipeline of marine biotechnology innovation, culminating in job creation, environmental sustainability and economic growth. Expressing confidence in the initiative, the CM said that Odisha is evolving from a coastal state to a coastal innovator. "We are not just blessed by nature; we are investing in nature-based solutions. We are harnessing our biodiversity not by exploiting it, but by preserving, understanding and responsibly utilising it," he said. Highlighting the geographic advantage and the strength of Odisha's academic and research institutes, Majhi said that an alliance of knowledge, research and innovation has been initiated to explore the coast's unseen gifts and threats with the help of biotechnology. Science and technology minister Krushna Chandra Patra highlighted Odisha's vast potential in marine biotechnology, stating that the state will make all efforts to explore the sector to promote growth. "OMBRIC is a blueprint for a prosperous future." Science and technology secretary Chithra Arumugam noted the immense potential of Odisha's 574-km long coastline, rich with unexplored marine bioresources. The govt has conceptualised OMBRIC as a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming and positioning Odisha as a global leader in marine biotechnology and 'blue economy' development. OMBRIC is designed to translate research into tangible economic outcomes. Through IP generation, incubation support and entrepreneurial mentoring, research findings will evolve into market-ready products, fostering the growth of marine biotech startups and enterprises. This "lab-to-market" pipeline ensures a sustainable ecosystem for innovation-driven marine industrialisation in Odisha. In addition to advancing research, OMBRIC places strong emphasis on community engagement and social impact. The initiative seeks to involve coastal populations through training, education and participatory conservation, thereby fostering marine stewardship while improving local livelihoods and social equity. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
China unveils ‘gunpowder-powered' space debris catcher that could covertly disable enemy satellites
Chinese researchers have developed a new space-debris catcher that quietly launches a net to capture dangerous debris orbiting Earth. A team of aerospace engineers from Nanjing University of Science and Technology and collaborators in Shanghai and Shenyang have introduced a compact launcher capable of capturing space debris. The device propels a capsule containing a net toward floating debris like defunct satellites and spent rocket parts. Once caught, the debris can be safely pulled out of orbit to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Also Read: Jessica Radcliffe wasn't attacked by an Orca; in fact, scientists reveal these killer whales are friendly and often let dolphins swim right beside them by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally | Zen Life Mag Undo Unlike traditional projectile systems, this launcher operates silently, producing no smoke, flash, or strong vibrations. Its innovative design prevents the destabilization of the host spacecraft and allows for precise and safe operation in orbit. Live Events As per the South China Morning Post, this technology was unveiled last month in the peer-reviewed Chinese journal Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica. How does the launcher work? The system uses a small gunpowder charge to generate high-pressure gas that drives a piston forward. A specially designed weak section breaks at a preset pressure to release the net capsule. A unique 35-degree angled ring acts like a collapsing flower, absorbing most recoil energy and reducing thrust impact by over 9 per cent compared to earlier designs. The SCMP explains that this careful engineering minimizes barrel movement, ensuring sensitive satellite instruments remain unharmed. The sealed design also traps gas, preventing contamination of the space environment. Addressing the space junk crisis Space debris has become a critical threat to satellites and spacecraft, with growing amounts of defunct equipment posing collision risks. This new launcher is compact, requires no external power, and can be mass-produced, offering an efficient solution to help clean up dangerous orbital clutter. Possible military implications? While the primary goal is debris management, experts warn that the technology could be adapted for covert military use. Unlike visible missile strikes or explosions, this system could disable or capture an adversary's satellite silently, leaving it to appear as though it failed naturally. A Beijing-based space scientist, speaking anonymously to the South China Morning Post, said, 'There would be no explosion, no visible attack, only a satellite that ceases to respond.' The launcher's emergence comes amid intensifying geopolitical competition in space. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans nuclear weapons in orbit and requires peaceful use of space, but does not explicitly forbid conventional kinetic weapons like this. Whether China's debris catcher is currently operational or still in development remains unclear. Yue Shuai, the project lead and associate professor at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, is noted as an expert in space weapon systems and has already launched two payloads into orbit, with more planned.
