India, Aug. 28 -- Following its push to make Marathi mandatory for taxi and autorickshaw drivers, the Maharashtra government has urged private universities to facilitate Marathi-language learning among students from other states by setting up dedicated cells for the purpose.

The request was made at a meeting convened by higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday. Patil asked universities to encourage students from outside Maharashtra to develop an interest in learning the local language.

Officials said the initiative was aimed at helping students communicate more effectively and integrate better into the state's linguistic and cultural environment. "The minister requested private universities to create an inter...