Maharashtra makes Marathi compulsory for drivers

Linguistics over licences in Maharashtra The Maharashtra government has made it compulsory for taxi and auto drivers in the state to learn Marathi, a move aimed at promoting the regional language. Transport Minister, Anil Parab, announced that from August 15, those who fail to prove their Marathi fluency will face licence cancellation.  As a result, several Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) have been converted into makeshift classrooms..

Here, migrant drivers gather for mandatory four-day workshops, in what they describe as a last-ditch effort to learn the basics of Marathi. While the government sees this move as a step towards promoting regional languages, others question the feasibility of such an ambitious plan. The state’s transport authorities are expected to conduct a written examination to assess the drivers’ Marathi language skills..

For many drivers, including 32-year-old Mohammed Khan, the prospect of learning a new language within such a short deadline seems daunting. Khan, who has been driving a taxi in Mumbai for over a decade, believes that the four-day workshops are inadequate to equip him with the required skills. These workshops are just a formality, he says..

I don’t see how I can become proficient in Marathi in such a short span. It’s all about memorizing the basics and passing the exam – not about genuinely learning the language. Khan, who hails from the neighbouring state of Gujarat, has been driving a taxi in Mumbai for over a decade and has limited knowledge of Marathi..

However, not everyone shares Khan’s sentiments. Some drivers, who have been struggling to find employment due to their lack of Marathi language skills, see this as an opportunity to improve their socio-economic status. Among them is 29-year-old Suresh Pawar, a driver from Nagpur who has been trying to secure a job in the auto-rickshaw sector for years..

For Pawar, learning Marathi is a matter of survival. He believes that by acquiring the local language, he will be able to access better job opportunities and improve his standard of living. I see this as a chance to learn a valuable skill, he says..

I’m confident that I’ll be able to pass the exam and get my licence renewed. As news of the Marathi language requirement spreads, RTOs across the state are witnessing a surge in the number of drivers seeking to learn the language. According to transport officials, the number of Marathi language classes in RTOs has increased manifold in the past few weeks..

While some RTOs have converted their parking lots into classrooms, others have taken the initiative of employing private tutors to teach Marathi to drivers. However, not everyone is enthusiastic about this new development. Many drivers feel humiliated by the prospect of being tested on their language skills..

In some RTOs, language learning classes have become a spectacle, with officials making announcements over the public address system announcing language testing days. Drivers are made to stand in long queues, anxiously waiting for their turn to be examined. In a bid to make the language learning process more engaging, some RTOs have started incorporating cultural and historical aspects of the Marathi language into their classes..

However, not all drivers see the value in this approach. Mohammed Khan, for instance, prefers to focus solely on the basics of Marathi grammar. Despite the challenges being faced by many drivers, there are those who are optimistic about the government’s decision to make Marathi compulsory for taxi and auto drivers..

They believe that this move will help to promote the local language and bridge the social divide between the migrant population and the native residents. As the deadline for Marathi language certification looms closer, it remains to be seen how many drivers will manage to pass the examination and secure their licences. The Maharashtra government’s decision to make Marathi compulsory for taxi and auto drivers has opened up a Pandora’s box, with far-reaching implications for the state’s transport sector and its diverse population..

While some drivers are struggling to learn the basics of a new language, others are hopeful of the new opportunities that this move will bring. As the fate of thousands of drivers hangs in the balance, the people of Maharashtra are watching this story unfold with bated breath, eager to see how the government’s plans will shape the future of the state’s transport sector and its inhabitants..