A language is more than a way of speaking. It carries memory, humour, literature and identity. But what happens to a language when the world around it changes faster than ever? That question was at the centre of a lecture at Hinduja Junior College, Worli, on 9th October 2026, held as part of Marathi Bhasha Saptah, or Marathi Language Week.

A Week Dedicated to the Marathi Language

The lecture was organised by our Marathi Vangmay Mandal to celebrate the Marathi language and to think seriously about its future. The Mandal chose a topic that invited real reflection: “The Challenges Before the Marathi Language.”

A Warm Welcome for the Chief Guest

The chief guest was Prof. Sheetal Ganar, a well-known poet who spoke to students about a subject close to her heart. Vice Principal Smt. Smita Menon welcomed her on behalf of the college and set a respectful, curious tone for the session.

A Language Shaped by a Changing World

Prof. Ganar began with an honest look at where the Marathi language stands today. She spoke about how it has changed over time and how globalisation has influenced the way people speak, write and think. The most pressing challenge, she suggested, is a simple one: how to help a new generation feel genuinely interested in their mother tongue.

Heritage and Progress, Together

Rather than choosing between tradition and change, Prof. Ganar encouraged students to hold both. The Marathi language has a deep literary and cultural legacy that deserves to be preserved. At the same time, she said, it must grow in ways that fit modern life, so that it stays useful, relevant and alive for the people who speak it.

Respecting Every Language

One of the most valuable parts of the talk was its generosity. Prof. Ganar made it clear that valuing the Marathi language does not mean setting other languages aside. She spoke about the importance of learning and respecting all languages while keeping the mother tongue close. Linguistic harmony and mutual respect, she told students, are exactly how the future of the Marathi language can become richer.

Students Took the Floor

The lecture was followed by an open conversation with students, who joined in with enthusiasm. They asked questions and shared doubts, and the exchange helped them understand why the Marathi language matters, what challenges it faces and what part they can play in keeping it thriving. The programme was anchored smoothly by Jyoti Bharati of the Marathi department.

What Students Took Away

For many in the room, this was a reminder that preserving a language isn’t only the job of writers or scholars. It happens in everyday choices: the books we read, the words we pass on and the respect we show to the languages around us. By the end of the session, students had a clearer sense of why that matters.

Keeping the Conversation Alive

The lecture left behind a simple but inspiring message: protect the richness of the Marathi language while working toward its bright future. That message is worth carrying well beyond a single week, and our Marathi Vangmay Mandal will keep nurturing it through its future events.

Want to see more cultural and literary events at our colleges? Visit Hinduja College to see what’s next.