Latest news with #AshishShelar
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Fresh tussle between Shiv Sena and BJP over Marathi films
The ongoing administrative tussle between the alliance partners Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena seems to have led to the cancellation of a meeting on the issue of allotment of multiplex screens to Marathi movies. Jumping into the ongoing discourse to uphold importance of Marathi, Shiv Sena leader and Minister for Marathi Language, Uday Samant on Monday announced a meeting on July 29 with multiplex owners to discuss the issues concerning Marathi films, to be chaired by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. However, the meeting had to be cancelled within hours as state's Cultural Affairs Minister and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar is presently abroad. 'To address the difficulties faced in securing screens for Marathi films in multiplex theatres in Maharashtra, an important meeting has been organised under the guidance of Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Saheb, involving the Marathi Film Organisation, the Cultural Department, and representatives of multiplexes,' announced Samant on social media website X. He posted a letter announcing the meeting at the Mantralaya office of Shinde. The Cultural Affairs Ministry, under whom the issue lies, is headed by BJP's Ashish Shelar. 'We have no knowledge about the meeting as our minister is abroad,' said an official from the minister's office. Hours after the announcement, the meeting was cancelled. Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had aggressively taken up the issue of lack of screens for Marathi films. It had even led to violent altercations at some places and multiplexes. Amid the ongoing political climate where the estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray seem to be coming together on the issue of Marathi, the ruling Shiv Sena too seems to be entering into the fray, ahead of local body polls. When contacted, Sushant Shelar–actor and chief of Shiv Sena's film wing called Shiv Chitrapat Sena–said that his party has always stood for Marathi films and there is no political angle to the demand. 'Our demand is that a screen should be reserved for Marathi films in multiplexes. We have raised the issue before and we will continue raising it,' he said. He added that the meeting on Tuesday was cancelled since the minister was not available.
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Over 50 Marathi schools in US to get support from Maharashtra government
As Marathi continues to be taught in community-run schools across the United States, Maharashtra's Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, has assured formal support from the state WITH BAY AREA MANDALDuring a recent visit to the Bay Area in San Francisco, Ashish Shelar met with representatives of the Maharashtra Mandal, an organisation that oversees several such institutions, run by volunteers from the Marathi-speaking diaspora, focus on teaching the Marathi language along with lessons in culture, history, and folk traditions to children growing up outside India. The Bay Area school, in operation since 2005, currently has around 300 students the US, more than 50 Marathi schools function in similar ways, sustained by community effort but without formal the meeting, the Mandal representatives conveyed that official support, such as a standard curriculum, examination framework, and recognition, would help improve teaching quality and simplify also pointed out that formal certification could encourage wider participation from parents and ASSURES COOPERATIONIn response, Mr Shelar said he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and School Education Minister Dada assured the group that the Maharashtra government would extend full would include access to curriculum materials, official endorsement letters, and other documentation that could support the functioning and recognition of these visit reflects a growing awareness of the role that diaspora communities play in keeping regional languages and cultures these schools are not part of any formal education network, their contribution to preserving linguistic heritage outside India is this assurance from the minister, the volunteers and families running these schools now await concrete implemented, this support may provide structure to their efforts and help strengthen the long-term sustainability of Marathi language learning in the diaspora.- Ends
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Maharashtra To Extend Official Curriculum Support To Marathi Schools In US
Maharashtra's Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Adv. Ashish Shelar, has assured official support to Marathi schools operating in the United States, including access to curriculum and examination frameworks. During a visit to the Bay Area in San Francisco as part of his US tour, Mr Shelar met office-bearers of the Maharashtra Mandal, which oversees Marathi schools in the region. These community-run institutions, led by committed members of the Marathi diaspora, focus on teaching the Marathi language, culture, history and folk traditions to the next generation. The Bay Area school, operational since 2005, currently educates around 300 students in Marathi. Across the US, more than 50 Marathi schools are functioning through voluntary efforts by the community. Representatives at the meeting told Mr Shelar that official recognition from the Maharashtra government - including a formal curriculum and examination framework - would streamline teaching, certification and administration. In response, Mr Shelar pledged to discuss the matter with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and School Education Minister Dada Bhuse. He assured the Mandal that the government would extend full cooperation, including the provision of official curriculum content and recommendation letters to support the schools' functioning.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Amid Language Row At Home, Maharashtra Govt To Provide Curriculum To Marathi Schools In US
Last Updated: Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar met Maharashtra Mandal members in California, which runs a Marathi school in San Francisco since 2005 for second-gen Marathi children. In a significant outreach to the global Marathi community, Maharashtra's Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister, Ashish Shelar, has assured that the state government will soon provide an official Marathi curriculum to Marathi schools operating in the United States. Currently on a tour of the US, Shelar met office-bearers of the Maharashtra Mandal in the Bay Area, California. The Mandal has been running a Marathi school in San Francisco since 2005, helping second-generation Marathi children learn their mother tongue, culture, history, and the folk traditions of Maharashtra. Around 300 students are enrolled in this school, learning Marathi out of pure community effort and passion. Across the US, more than 50 such volunteer-run Marathi schools are keeping the language alive far from home. The move comes at a time when the Marathi language has become a point of emotional and political debate back home. In Maharashtra, tensions have simmered for years over the perceived encroachment of Hindi on Marathi's cultural and administrative space. From signboards in Mumbai to school syllabi and competitive exams, pro-Marathi groups have often demanded stronger safeguards to ensure Marathi's primacy in the state. Recent controversies — including demands for mandatory Marathi signage in shops and debates over language policy in schools — have only intensified this sentiment. Against this backdrop, the state government's promise to strengthen Marathi learning even abroad is being seen as an attempt to reassure the global Marathi community that their roots and identity will be nurtured, no matter where they live. During the meeting in San Francisco, the school's representatives told Minister Shelar that official support from the Maharashtra government would make teaching, examinations, and certification much smoother. Many schools there are run purely on community donations and volunteer teachers, but they lack standardized teaching material and an official stamp that could help students and parents gain confidence in the curriculum's authenticity. Minister Shelar assured them that he would discuss this initiative with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and School Education Minister Dada Bhuse. He promised that the government will not only prepare and share an official syllabus but also issue necessary recommendations to the local US authorities if needed. For many families living thousands of miles away from Maharashtra, this move could make it easier to pass on their language and cultural roots to their children — ensuring that Marathi thrives, not just in the state, but across the world. view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 13:37 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
7 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Balancing Faith & Ecology: Maharashtra Clears Way For Sea Immersion Of Big Ganesh Idols
Last Updated: The court was hearing the matter after concerns were raised over the ban on Plaster of Paris idols and the possible shift of all idol immersions to artificial ponds The Maharashtra government, in an important development for devotees and artisans alike, has informed the Bombay High Court that large Ganesh idols made by Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals will continue to be immersed in the sea—just as tradition demands—while ensuring all necessary environmental safeguards. The state's assurance came through an affidavit submitted on Wednesday, marking a balanced approach between cultural faith and ecological responsibility. The court was hearing the matter after concerns were raised over the ban on Plaster of Paris (POP) idols and the possible shift of all idol immersions to artificial ponds. The POP ban had threatened the livelihoods of thousands of idol makers across Maharashtra, who have been crafting these traditional idols for generations. Recognising this, cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar pushed for a scientific review. The Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission, under the guidance of noted scientist Dr Anil Kakodkar, studied POP's impact on the environment and suggested solutions to manage its use responsibly. Based on Kakodkar's report, the Union ministry of environment submitted its findings, leading to the lifting of the blanket ban on POP idols. The high court then asked the state government to clearly state its policy on idol immersion, especially for the large idols worshipped by big Ganesh Mandals that draw lakhs of devotees. On Wednesday, Advocate General Birendra Saraf appeared before Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne and presented the state's stand. The government said big idols will be allowed to be immersed in the sea, upholding a legacy that Mumbai has cherished for over a century. However, domestic Ganesh idols below a certain height will still be immersed in artificial ponds, a practice that has helped reduce the load on natural water bodies. The state also assured the court that strict measures will be taken to ensure that the immersion process is eco-friendly. This includes special zones, clean-up drives, and steps to prevent water pollution. For thousands of Mandals, artisans, and devotees, this news comes as a big relief. It keeps alive the spirit of Mumbai's Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, while showing that tradition and environmental care can go hand in hand. The hearing on the matter will continue on Thursday. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
