Kerala will observe November 1 as Classical Language Day, against the backdrop of Malayalam getting classical status.
Minister for Culture K.C. Joseph told the media here on Friday that the Department of Culture and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi would organise various programmes in all districts in this connection. Special assembly would be held in schools.
The Minister said the government was trying for Central approval for setting up a Central institute of classical language in Thiruvananthapuram. Proposals for starting courses in classical languages in Central universities had also been mooted.
The Kerala Sahitya Akademi would digitise 1,000-old Malayalam books and distribute copies to libraries and other institutions. The Malayalam Mission would be expanded and a separate mission established for translation. The State language institute would publish more books on science and technology to enhance the richness of the language.
He said the government wanted facilities for teaching Malayalam to be introduced in all schools in the State. Currently, about 300 schools in Kasaragod and Munnar did not teach Malayalam.
