Latest news with #Shelar
India Today
5 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
6 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
6 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
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Celebrate Ganeshotsav Like Never Before': Shelar Blames Urban Naxals For Attack On Hindu Fests
Ashish Shelar in Pen: 'There has been a systematic attempt to undermine our festivals like Ganeshotsav, Dahi Handi and Nagpanchami under the guise of environmental concerns." Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs Minister Adv Ashish Shelar on Sunday made an emotional appeal to the people of the state to celebrate this year's Ganeshotsav with unmatched fervour and pride, declaring it a State Festival while warning of a 'well-crafted plot" by so-called urban Naxals to target Hindu traditions. Speaking in the heart of Pen — a small town that has, for generations, given life to millions of Ganesha idols adorning homes and pandals across the country — Shelar's message struck a deeply personal chord with the community of sculptors whose livelihoods are entwined with this beloved festival. Addressing a packed gathering of artisans, local leaders, and residents at Tambadshet, of Raigad district, which is also known as hub of artisans, Shelar did not mince words. 'There has been a systematic attempt to undermine our festivals like Ganeshotsav, Dahi Handi and Nagpanchami under the guise of environmental concerns. But behind this is a deliberate conspiracy by urban Naxal elements with backing from Congress, the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena," Shelar said, receiving thunderous applause from idol makers who see their craft as a sacred tradition. Shelar recalled how the ban on Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, which once threatened to choke the local economy of places like Pen, was part of this larger narrative. 'Had we not stood firm, thousands of idol makers would have been left without work. Our Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ji and I fought this battle shoulder to shoulder — in the courts, on the streets and with the people — and we won," he said, promising continued protection of age-old practices. For many sculptors in attendance, Shelar's announcement that Ganeshotsav will now be officially celebrated as Maharashtra's State Festival felt like justice served. 'This festival feeds our families, binds our communities and keeps our traditions alive. Today we feel seen," said Abhay Mhatre, President of the Maharashtra Ganesh Sculptors' Association. As Shelar ended his address with chants of 'Ganapati Bappa Morya!", the message was loud and clear — this Ganeshotsav, Maharashtra will not just worship an idol but also stand guard against forces that, he said, seek to dilute its cultural soul. 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.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Live telecast of Ganeshotsav events: Minister
Over a week after according a state festival tag to Ganeshotsav, culture minister Ashish Shelar said various activities have been planned this year for the 10-day festival. Not only will cultural events be held in Mumbai and across the state but also in other states with a significant Maharashtrian population as well as globally. The state will telecast live aartis at popular temples and celebrations at many sarvajanik mandals and households, said Shelar. Govt will also give awards to mandals, hold a bhajan competition and organise a world-class drone show at Girgaum Chowpatty. —Somit Sen
