The War of

[sravna]

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The language war as everybody perceives is about political motives than real concern for the language. Objective and pragmatic position is to give the nod for the third language as in no way it degrades Tamil or other south indian language but helps students towards learning an extra language and culture other than ones own. As BJP rightly points out promoting national integration. The south can probably learn Hindi and the north a south indian language. What's really wrong folks. In as much you are not pushing a south indian language in north you are not pushing Hindi or any other north indian language. There is a balance.

I would suggest it should not only be a policy but also a law. The law should be north indian states too should learn a south indian language. This reciprocity is very important.

The only thing going for DMK is that it can only be a recommendation and not imposed. But why consider it as an imposition unless you have political motives. There is a fear by introducing a north indian language in the south the tamil politicians fear that hindi and north indian culture may take roots. But that is far fetched and not logical. Just as you cannot prevent your kid from being exposed to the external world you cannot protect your culture from the external pressure. Let it out to the world and if there is tension as you believe the culture will prevail. I have no doubt about it about the great Tamil culture. I am proud of Tamil culture and that pride mainly comes from the robustness of the culture and that it can withstand any external pressure.

 

[sravna]

Praveen kindly change the title to The war of words

 

[sravna]

The DMKs argument that the 2 language model has served well so far is not completely logical. Firstly you can always improve and strive for perfection. The success of Tamilnadu may be on other factors and very likely so, than because of two language model. The logic is very important. The 3 language model does enrich students and promotes national unity.

 

[renuka]

The DMKs argument that the 2 language model has served well so far is not completely logical. Firstly you can always improve and strive for perfection. The success of Tamilnadu may be on other factors and very likely so, than because of two language model. The logic is very important. The 3 language model does enrich students and promotes national unity.

In Malaysia the average citizen speaks minimum 3 languages.
1) Malay
2)English
3)Mother tongue

In India I feel in South they should opt for learning a North Language and in North they should opt to learn a South Language.
But most North Indians struggle with English itself..not sure if they can handle a South Language.

 

[OKO]

The only thing going for DMK is that it can only be a recommendation and not imposed. But why consider it as an imposition unless you have political motives. There is a fear by introducing a north indian language in the south the tamil politicians fear that hindi and north indian culture may take roots. But that is far fetched and not logical. Just as you cannot prevent your kid from being exposed to the external world you cannot protect your culture from the external pressure. Let it out to the world and if there is tension as you believe the culture will prevail. I have no doubt about it about the great Tamil culture. I am proud of Tamil culture and that pride mainly comes from the robustness of the culture and that it can withstand any external pressure.

Not really... The reality is this is the truth. I have lived up north and down south and can attest that there is an inherent superiority complex amongst Hindi speakers (regardless of how well-educated they are). The primary issue is that they come down South and force the locals to adopt their language but vice-versa is not allowed. This is not right in any manner and the degradation of the local culture is very apparent in Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, et cetera.

Yes DMK has a political agenda as the consolidation of the national identity would mean that Centre gets more power and State loses its grip as well as the upcoming election. In my opinion, as much as DMK politics is bad and pretty counterproductive to development, this is one place that even the opposition be it AIDMK or BJP (local wing) can oppose wholeheartedly.

The DMKs argument that the 2 language model has served well so far is not completely logical. Firstly you can always improve and strive for perfection. The success of Tamilnadu may be on other factors and very likely so, than because of two language model. The logic is very important. The 3 language model does enrich students and promotes national unity.

Not at this juncture. The three-language model, albeit a good model, does impose Hindi on to non-Hindi-dominated states from any angle. This policy would be better suited when the mindset of the Centre changes from the consolidation of the singular Hindi identity to one better suited and beneficial to all citizens of the country.

Just something I would like to emphasise:
Me not siding with the Centre on this does not mean I am pro-Dravidian politics or against the BJP. I find myself to be against the post-Naicker Tamil politics as it is divisive and is also historically inaccurate in almost all of their assumptions.

My critique lies not necessarily with the intent of the policy as it is a great policy but rather with how it has been introduced and the current political climate of India. We all may have different opinions on various subjects as a result of our varied life experiences, and this is not to invalidate anyone's experiences; it is simply my perspective. If anyone who comes across this post is angered by it and wishes to take extreme actions; Please don't. Go touch grass if you feel compelled by a post to behave in an egregious manner.

(Yes, I know most of you will not, but this is just something I wanted to put out because of a recent experience on a different forum discussing the same topic. Thank you for your understanding.)

 

[sravna]

Dear OKO,

Someone has to take the initiative to rise above politics and really see the logic. I agree northerners have a superiority complex on certain things. What about westerners? Don't they? Are we refusing to learn English or purchase their gadgets?

We have to see what is good for India. If the northerners are shown the benefit of learning a southern language and they do agree it is a big improvement in their attitude. Similarly if the South accepts three language formula it is a step forward from their narrow thinking.

So we need to take the right steps and work towards the goal and hope things will move in the right direction.

We cannot keep complaining for ever on norths superiority complex and Souths regional inclinations.

We need to grow up and now is a good time to do that.

 

[OKO]

Dear OKO,

Someone has to take the initiative to rise above politics and really see the logic. I agree northerners have a superiority complex on certain things. What about westerners? Don't they? Are we refusing to learn English or purchase their gadgets?

We have to see what is good for India. If the northerners are shown the benefit of learning a southern language and they do agree it is a big improvement in their attitude. Similarly if the South accepts three language formula it is a step forward from their narrow thinking.

So we need to take the right steps and work towards the goal and hope things will move in the right direction.

We cannot keep complaining for ever on norths superiority complex and Souths regional inclinations.

We need to grow up and now is a good time to do that.

You bring up an excellent point- Why do we learn English? The answer is simple: English has been made the modus operandi for transnational collaboration, and with the rise in such collaborations, we must learn English.

Hindi, on the other hand, has no value, unless you are into literature or have a passion for learning new languages. What does the three-language policy offer when we learn Hindi? A CBSE English textbook for 11th and 12th graders talks of the importance of language. The short story is titled "The Last Class" and helps younger students understand the importance of language and the effects of language imposition. I urge you to read it to help understand the consequences of the new policy.

Complaining is a must IMO, as we stand to lose in every avenue, such as budget allocation, cultural diversity, et cetera. The notion that complaining is not right is a clear-cut suppressive tactic used by those in power. If you want something, you ought to demand it, particularly in a paternalistic State such as India. This is why NI's gain while we lose out. The caveat here is that you ought to not only complain (this is also why NI's are looked down upon but they too are slowly changing).

You mention taking the "right steps" and "work towards the goal", kindly elucidate as to the exact nature of those words. Furthermore, how do we "grow" by shoving Hindi down the throat of the southern and other states where Hindi is not a dominant language? Furthermore, tolerating the superiority complex of Hindi speakers is not necessarily wrong (though that should not exist in the first place considering the socio-economic state they are in) but it is wrong when it reduces the quality of life for the rest and tries to make the rest of the society a minority. At that point, what is the difference between them and those who forcefully convert others? Dogmatic ideas are inherently detrimental to unity and are divisive in their very nature.

 

[sravna]

You bring up an excellent point- Why do we learn English? The answer is simple: English has been made the modus operandi for transnational collaboration, and with the rise in such collaborations, we must learn English.

Hindi, on the other hand, has no value, unless you are into literature or have a passion for learning new languages. What does the three-language policy offer when we learn Hindi? A CBSE English textbook for 11th and 12th graders talks of the importance of language. The short story is titled "The Last Class" and helps younger students understand the importance of language and the effects of language imposition. I urge you to read it to help understand the consequences of the new policy.

Complaining is a must IMO, as we stand to lose in every avenue, such as budget allocation, cultural diversity, et cetera. The notion that complaining is not right is a clear-cut suppressive tactic used by those in power. If you want something, you ought to demand it, particularly in a paternalistic State such as India. This is why NI's gain while we lose out. The caveat here is that you ought to not only complain (this is also why NI's are looked down upon but they too are slowly changing).

You mention taking the "right steps" and "work towards the goal", kindly elucidate as to the exact nature of those words. Furthermore, how do we "grow" by shoving Hindi down the throat of the southern and other states where Hindi is not a dominant language? Furthermore, tolerating the superiority complex of Hindi speakers is not necessarily wrong (though that should not exist in the first place considering the socio-economic state they are in) but it is wrong when it reduces the quality of life for the rest and tries to make the rest of the society a minority. At that point, what is the difference between them and those who forcefully convert others? Dogmatic ideas are inherently detrimental to unity and are divisive in their very nature.

I agree with your logic of the necessity to learn English. But I prefer to take a balanced view than something based on expedience. Learning of Hindi may not be bestowing benefits in the way English does but on any day I would give all of them up if i get back something that promotes unity especially national unity. Besides IMO culture is equally if not more important than science and technology. Understanding culture gives you a nuanced thinking and a maturity which understanding or use of science and technology cant. It is not more powerful technology but a more mature mind is what the world needs now.

I think we are overleaning on technology and science blissfully ignoring how culture or finer thinking can elevate us.