West Bengal’s Chief Minister made headlines with two distinct pursuits: advocating for classical language status for Bangla, which is the world’s 7th most spoken language and seeking national fair status for the Gangasagar Mela.
Gangasagar Mela
- Gangasagar Mela, which takes place during Makar Sankrati (mid-January), is said to be India’s second largest pilgrimage gathering after the Kumbh Mela.
- This annual pilgrimage draws millions to Sagar Island at the confluence of the Ganges and Bay of Bengal and commemorates the legendary King Bhagirath’s descent of the Ganges to Earth.
Benefits of National Status
- Elevating the Mela to national status would bring increased central funding and infrastructure development, potentially boosting tourism and economic activity in West Bengal.
Other Major Melas in India
- Kumbh Mela: It is celebrated four times every 12 years, the site of the observation rotating between four pilgrimages on the four sacred rivers at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.
- Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela is held at only two places, Haridwar and Allahabad, every sixth year.
- And a Maha Kumbh is held after every 144 years.
- Pushkar Mela: Pushkar Mela is an annual five day camel and livestock fair held in the town of Pushkar, Rajasthan.
- It is one of the world’s largest cattle fairs.
- Hemis Gompa Fair : In the northernmost corner of India, the chilly deserts of Ladakh celebrate a 300-year-old annual fair known as the Hemis Gompa Fair.
- The Hemis Monastery commemorates the fair on the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.
- Ganga Sagar Mela has recently faced challenges due to rising sea levels and beach erosion near the Kapil Muni temple on Sagar Island. Despite dredging and tetrapods to counter erosion, the situation remains uncertain.
Classical Languages
- In 2004, the Government of India decided to create a new category of languages called “classical languages”.
- In 2006, it laid down the criteria for conferring classical language status. So far, the 6 languages are granted classical language status.