Maharashtra Navnirman Sena

Greetings and Jai Maharashtra !

We all celebrate 27th February as ‘Marathi Rajbhasha day’ as it is the birth anniversary of Shri. Kusumagraj.
Somehow, in our government calendars, most of the days are celebrated in a lack lustre manner. In the same way, this day too was celebrated in a similar manner.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena started celebrating this day in a manner that is befitting to the respect it deserves. Since then, this day has got the prominence and recall value that it truly deserves. But naturally, this is a huge moment of pride for me.

Keeping this day in mind, for the next one week, there might be a few official programmes, a couple of statements will be issued. Statements such as the future of Marathi language and its existence is being compromised etc will be broadcasted. However, after this, within the next 358 days, all this will be forgotten.

Instead of worrying about the existence of Marathi language, what needs to be done is to ensure how we can spread the richness and grandeur of our language, how we can make optimum use of our language in our day to day life and eventually, how we can make our language our identity. These are the aspects we need to work upon. Our language is not so frail and feeble, that we need to shed our tears for it.

If one traces the growth of this language and the greats who have spoken this, one can then gauge the very formidable essence of this language. The founder of Hindavi Swarajya, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spoke this language, Sant Dyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram till Samartha Ramdas swami. All these monumental personalities spoke this language. ‘Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it’. These powerful words spoken in Marathi by Lokmanya Tilak formed the solid base for the freedom movement in the hearts of all Indians. Swatantraya Veer Savarkar spoke Marathi, the architect of our Constitution, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s mother tongue was Marathi. Prabodhankar Thackeray, Acharya Atre, Shri, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar- the founder of RSS; the founder of the Communist Party of India, Shri Amrit Dange, all of them were born with Marathi as their mother tongue.

The first spoken words that effused from the melodious throats of our Lata didi and Asha tai were in this very language.

Since 1843 till date, the rich culture of Marathi theatre has been acknowledged the world over. Eight Bharat Ratnas have come from this region itself. This language paved the way for Hindavi Swarajya. This language formed the very core of our freedom struggle, this language infused the true spirit of ‘awakening’ into the fabric of our country. The spirit of unity between the workers and labour class was weaved in, by this language.

When you have such an expanse and greatness weaved in one language, how can one portray a dismal picture of the future of this language?

What we need to do is, to realize and value the magnificence of this language. This language is the very foundation of an awakening amongst people, it is the very womb wherein, a formidable thought process and greats have been born. Let’s work towards making this a knowledge communication and work communication language. If we achieve this, it’s more than enough.

If we make a beginning on the Marathi Rajya bhasha day, it would be the befitting thing to do. Let’s begin by etching our signature; which is also our identity in Marathi.

To facilitate this process, in our Maharashtra Navnirman Sena offices, boards will be put up. With your family, you’ll can go there and mark your signature in Marathi, with an oath that lets all value and respect our language more.

I sign off with my heartfelt best wishes to you all, on the Marathi Rajbhasha day.

Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra !

Humbly yours,
Raj Thackeray