Isn’t it unfortunate, I am writing this in English?
Here are a few questions, before you read any further.
क्या आपको ABCD आती हैं? हाँ
क्या आपको 1 से 100 तक गिनती आती हैं? हाँ
क्या आपको “अ” से “ज्ञ” तक वर्णमाला आती हैं? आती तो है पर…
क्या आप १ से १०० तक हिंदी गिनती बोल सकते हैं? …………………….
क्या आप १ से १० तक हिंदी में पहाड़ा बोल सकते हैं? …………………….
It is implied, what I am referring to. Students from class 4 to university, answered these questions and the study revealed some shocking results. It is good to learn different languages but are we leaving Hindi behind.
Yes, it is “Hindi Diwas”, or the day dedicated to promoting the usage of Hindi. It is shameful for each one of us that we are at a point where we are using English to promote Hindi. Programmes are organised across the country may seem like condolence meetings and the two weeks of “Hindi fortnight”, ceremonial rites.
A Day for Hindi
Dedicating a day to honour something important is a tradition in the west. At least we remember that we have an official language which is also a native language for most. Something that is supposed to be a celebration of the language spoken by the majority in India, ended up damaging it the most.
When it was decided to make Hindi the national language, the non-Hindi speaking people acted the same way siblings would have, when one is given preference over other for no valid reason or maybe because one is bigger. Even when it was recognised that the non-Hindi speaking states have an equal say, the day continued to be celebrated as Hindi diwas. It could have been “language day” where all the regionally recognised languages were celebrated. While it distanced Hindi from other languages with the status of official language of the union. The simultaneous use of English damaged Hindi the most.
The Damage
We are taught from the very first day of school, there is no future without English. Hindi, however in use, lost its ground and unless someone wants to learn remains oblivious. In the era of globalization English should act as intermediator, and of course, we are the second largest English speaking population. But we should not forget our roots, the beautiful Hindi language should be recognised with equal or even more respect.
A language divide is created between the societies. While most lack the understanding of Hindi, those who communicate in Hindi are made to feel inferior, insecure and uneducated. We live in a country where majority speaks Hindi but we find English as an easy way to stand out. How long would it work? When would we realise, it’s not the language but the idea that matters?
It gives us pleasure to speak foreign languages while disgracing Hindi. There are jobs in our very country, which needs English mandatorily even when it has nothing to do with the profile. It is disgraceful that we cannot even get some higher education degrees with Hindi as a medium of instruction.
It’s unfortunate that we make fun of people who speak in Hindi. We make fun of words which are hard to pronounce and even the people who speak them fluently. Truth be told my friend, it is not he, who is uneducated, it’s you.
P.S. The post is not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings. Please feel free to share your views and tell us what do you think.
