Soon, all commercial establishments in Kolkata will have to display signboards in Bengali, along with other languages. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has issued this new mandate with an aim to promote linguistic heritage in the city. Scroll on to learn more about this.
Bengali Signboards A Must, Orders Kolkata Municipal Corporation
KMC has ordered all shops, eateries, and businesses in Kolkata to use Bengali in signboards. According to NDTV, they have set a tentative deadline of February 21, 2025, to implement this order. The Municipal Secretary Swapan Kundu has mentioned that KMC is actively engaging shops, restaurants and other business owners to ensure that names and other information about the establishments are written in Bengali in addition to any other language.
While talking to NDTV, KMC Mayor Firhad Hakim had said that the civic body has nothing against the “use of Hindi, English or other languages in banners, festoons, signages and such modes of communication.” They just want Bengali to also feature along with the other languages.
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Previous Similar But Failed Attempt
On October 3, the Bengali language, along with Assamese, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit, received the distinction of a classical language by the Centre government. This distinction urged KMC to take up the decision to include Bengali in signboards across all commercial establishments to promote linguistic heritage in Kolkata.
According to NDTV, back in 2007, the then Mayor of Kolkata, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, had issued a similar notice to make commercial outlets use Bengali along with other languages in signboards. However, this order failed to materialise.
What are your thoughts on this order of inclusion of Bengali on signboards by Kolkata Municipal Corporation? Let us know in the comments.
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