SYNOPSIS
The Union Government in consultation with all the States formulated the three-language formula in 1968. The formula as enunciated in the 1968 National Policy Resolution, which provided for the study of “Hindi, English and modern Indian language in the Hindi speaking States and Hindi, English and the Regional language in the non-indi speaking States”. The formula was formulated in response to demands from non-Hindi speaking States particularly Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Later, National Education Commission recommended a modified three-language formula. But, after significant debate, the Parliament adopted the original three-language formula 1968. National Education Policy 1986 reiterated the 1968 formula. A new committee of experts was constituted in 1990 under the chair of Sh. Ali Sardar Jafri . This committee recommended modifying the three-language formula in Hindi speaking States as thus: (a) Hindi (b) Urdu or any other modern Indian language and (c) English or any other modern European language. In non-Hindi speaking States: (a) Regional language; (b) Hindi; (c) Urdu or any other modern Indian language excluding (a) and (b); and (d) English or any other modern European language”. However, all the States have not followed the three-language formula till date.
The public servants and members of the higher judiciary, who has completed their education in regional languages only and not able to read, write and speak the Hindi, become very uncomfortable when transferred in the other State having another regional language. Difficulties faced by them while communicating with common man knowing other regional language can be well appreciated. This problem can be easily resolved by making study of Hindi compulsory for all the students of I-VIII standard in spirit of the Article 2 1A read with Article 343, 344, 348, 351 and Preamble of the constitution of India.
Study of Hindi should be compulsory for all the students of I-VIII standard, so that all the Indian citizens can easily communicate with each other. It will promote fraternity, unity and national integration, the great golden goals as set out in Preamble of the Constitution. At present, when a north Indian visit east, west or south India becomes a foreigner, as he cannot read, write and understand their local language and so also the citizens from those States find it difficult to communicate with person visiting from north. Besides the fact that Hindi is the official language as has been enunciated in the Article 343, it is spoken and used in major part of the country. There are only few States where there is only regional language is spoken.
Crucial role of universal elementary education for strengthening the social fabric of democracy and the provisions of equal opportunity to all the Indians has been accepted since inception of our republic. The Article 2 1A was inserted in the Constitution in the belief that the value of equality, social justice and democracy and the creation of a just and humane society can be achieved only through the inclusive universal elementary education to all the children aged 6-14 years. However, it is very unfortunate that study of Hindi is not compulsory for all the students of I-VIII standard.
At the time of framing and adoption of the Constitution, it was envisaged that English will continue to be used for executive, judicial and legal purposes for an initial period of 15 years i.e. till 1965 only. The period of 15 years was prescribed after detailed deliberation so that necessary arrangements could be made for smooth language transition. The Constitution makers were conscious that language transition in all the fields may not be possible by 1965. They also had the foresight to allow the use of English along with Hindi during the first 15 years and envisaged that Hindi with help of other regional languages would evolve as the link language of India, capable of being accepted by people living in non-Hindi speaking regions but their dream is being negated by few States.
Whoever had studied the Hindi in primary schools knows that its learning is very easy. It is the simplest source of expression and all the students of I-VIII standard can easily learn it without extra stress. Now days, students are opting English as a compulsory language but choose the Hindi as optional, which is not good. Every nation makes his national language as compulsory part of syllabus & curriculum particularly in primary education. However, in India, Hindi is not compulsory for all the students of I-VIII standard. Although, its learning is more important, as the regional language can be learnt at home itself.
Majority of the children of Tamilnadu don’t know Hindi. They face many problems when they go outside the State for higher studies or search of job. They try to manage with English, but we cannot expect a person in a grocery shop or a tea shop to know English. If we consider all Indians, the number of people, who can read write and speak English is much lesser than the Hindi speaking people. English is used in offices and judiciary but everywhere starting from market place to industrial shop floor a link language is needed and that can be Hindi. Conversation between an Engineer and worker or a Doctor and patient cannot be effectively done in English. Therefore, study of Hindi must compulsory for all the students of I-VIII standard.
Hindi is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. India is known as ‘Hindustan’, which implies that majority of the Indians are Hindi speaking. Hindi was considered as the official language even before the Independence. It has been adopted as the official language by the constituent assembly on 14.09.1949 and every year this day is celebrated as Hindi day. Hindi is referred as the nation’s collective voice because of its wide use by the great Indian freedom fighters.
The scientists have already discovered that use of Hindi language is better for the human brain than the English as reading, writing and speaking in Hindi involves more areas of the human brain. It is not out of context to state that the then president of the USA, Mr. George Bush had allocated a budget of $114 million to promote Hindi.
Hindi is spoken in almost all parts of India, but many States have not made the study of Hindi compulsory in primary schools under the three-language system. Moreover, few States continue to oppose Hindi that is why their children find it very difficult to read, write and speak Hindi. In addition, Hindi medium schools are decreasing and English medium schools are increasing at a rapid rate due to privatization of education. Therefore, there is a dire need to make our official language Hindi a compulsory subject for all the student of I-VIII standard.
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