One fine morning, I was having breakfast in our mess. With me there was a Gujarati friend of mine and a few more friends from UP and MP, an Italian student was also having breakfast along with us.
It seems a normal scenario, but in the next ten minutes something happened that started churning the wheels on which my faith of national integrity was based.
The Italian spoke Aaj Nashta achchha hai.
Yes, he was speaking Hindi, though his mothertongue was Italian and he was supposed to communicate with people in English, he spoke Hindi. He was learning Hindi.
With some surprise I went out after breakfast and met a friend, and by instinct I spoke in Hindi and got in response a blank face from him. Then I realized, I was supposed to speak in English as this friend of mine despite being an Indian did not know Hindi, rather did not want to learn Hindi.
This culture is observed dominating in South India, especially in Tamilnadu. All non Tamils in Tamilnadu will have faced this. Despite knowing Hindi, they will not speak it.
Once I had had a discussion with a friend from Chennai about life in Tamilnadu. He said there were no issues like riots, terrorism or any other social problems; the only thing was that they did not want pollution of Hindi in TN.
Tamil is their mothertongue, so they should respect it, they should preserve their cultural heritage. Agreed, but when somebody from some other cultural background comes here and stays here, he/she has to undergo a big torture, as Hindi is accepted at few places. Almost all states of India have their own languages, but they do speak Hindi when needed, and that is how we can move ahead on the path of unity and prosperity.
But people may not be blamed completely, Hindi is not compulsorily taught in schools, so people tend to ignore it, and the national language loses its pride.
I strongly feel, AICTE must make it compulsory for all the schools in India to teach Hindi for at least five years. It is a symbol of our nation, it is our identity, and when I hear people making fun of it, or feeling proud about not knowing Hindi, blood starts boiling. If an Indian can't communicate in India, what can be worse than it?????????????????????
Thts very ture man.I am strongly agree with you.. i went to chennai during my induction program in my current company. I have seen this kinda of culture there. So because of this only i choose another place to work. Otherwise i could have join the chennai plant.I hope that some tamilian guy read this blog and take it in right manner.Atleast he start learning our national language "HINDI".
ReplyDelete@Above
ReplyDeleteWhy are you uploading comments being anonymous?
Reveal your identity. So far as you are true to yourself and loyal to the country, why should you be afraid of anyone???
I insist you should be fearless. Please do not post comments being anonymous.
yep, you are right..this is the problem not with south Indians but almost all regional groups..!! But the worst thing with south Indian people is that they do not know even our national language...!!
ReplyDeleteIt is often seen that persons from same region used to talk in their mothertongue...ofcourse, that is good, but they should talk in our national language atleast when they are in a group and other persons from different motherlands are communicating with them...!!
we also do that sometimes but we should try to stop that and not put the other fellow in awkward situation...!!
Hmmm, well, I can see the scenario changing, still it is not satisfactory. Let's hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteLet's not say that.
ReplyDeleteIt won't happen till we write something to the authorities. I am thinking to write something to the Tamilnadu CM as well as union ministry.
Just wanted to inform all the readers that I have sent a mail regarding the same to the secretary of school education, government of Tamilnadu. Let us hope to get the reply soon, if we don't get, we can even write to the central government.
ReplyDeleteI respect your thoughts that all Indians should have a common language to communicate, I too like the same.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, these all are because of the political drama by these crap politicians here.
They used the language issue and made vote banks.
The first point I want to make you all clear is Hindi is not the National Language of India... In other words, there is no National language for India.. You can find it mentioned no where that Hindi is India's National language. Will share you the reference..
//Despite knowing Hindi, they will not speak it.
I totally disagree this. I might hav been due to ur assumption that they know Hindi. Not more than 5% of Tamil people knows Hindi. It seems that you never have met ppl knowing Hindi
//Then I realized, I was supposed to speak in English as this friend of mine despite being an Indian did not know Hindi, rather did not want to learn Hindi.
We were not asked to learn Hindi.. this is the truth... Again political drama is the reasons...
//the only thing was that they did not want pollution of Hindi in TN.
I feel bad about your friends attitude.
//but when somebody from some other cultural background comes here and stays here, he/she has to undergo a big torture,
I never thought like that in this land of Hindi where I'm now. Will you agree if I expect these people to talk in Tamil for the reason that I know Tamil only or stating that Tamil is older than Hindi (though I havent and wont and shdnt do that)?
My thoughts: Language is only for communication. It is not a sensitive issue as it is now. If I need a language I will start talking it (As I started learning Hindi here). If you really need to communicate start learning Tamil... Remember, that Italian started talking in Hindi(the major language ppl using in India). He never asked or compelled you to talk in English. Survival is the Fittest.
Hope there is nothing to delete this comment :)
Thanks Sateesh for taking the post in true spirits.
ReplyDeleteNow, Hindi is the national language. Here goes the proof.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India
Please read the demographics of the article.
So far as people not speaking Hindi is concerned, there are a few pleasant exceptions, but out of my experience of staying in Chennai for more than a year, I would repeat that Hindi is really not welcome here.
So far as the demand is concerned, your expecting Non Tamil people to speak Tamil would be equivalent as me asking people of Tamilnadu to speak GUJARATI, but that's not what I'm asking for, because that is highly unfair.
I need not present the proof, that Hindi is the most widely known and spoken language in India, in addition to being the national language.
As per 2001 census, Hindi was spoken by 422 million Indians, followed by Bengali (83), Telugu (74), Marathi (72), Tamil (61) and a lot to follow. If we try to find out no of people knowing the language (though not using it in day to day life), Hindi would be known to almost 90 to 95%.
So, there's no doubt of having Hindi as the common platform.
I'm afraid I may not agree to your opinion of learning Tamil, because one cannot go on learning all regional languages wherever one goes, when we have a national language.
Sorry for using the word TORTURE, but that's pronounced by everyone here, it's an experience of thousands, or may be lakhs, it can't be wrong.
Finally, I agree it all lies in the vote bank politics, and that is why I have written to the authorities as I've mentioned above, but even after more than 3 months, I've not received any response.
It is because of the wealth of this language, Tamil, we keep it with heart. I do not know how far you can understand if I try to explain you that. You may search Google / Wiki for that. You may figure-out the reason why we do so.
ReplyDeleteIt is rich, this language which has its origin well before 300BC and the origin of other dravidian languages Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam.
Could anyone give a comparative literature for 'Thirukural' in Tamil which has been translated in English in 1768AD and also over 40 languages even in Gujarati. Is there any olden/present writers any where in the world has written about every thing of the life sciences, politics, kingdom, love, sex, discipline etc., which is called 'Common Knowledge for the World'
Today people are praising Sanskrit which is no more in practice. The same should not happen to such a oldest of all the Indian languages, Tamil.
Another interesting fact is that there are lot of North Indian people like Marwari, Seths, Pattani etc., here in TN who had came all the way from their home and are doing business here. They never expected anyone here to talk in Hindi. They adapted. If you have roamed near Egmore, you might have seen them.
A cobbler can not be an engineer for the need of the factory. But cobbler's son can be.
To my part, I m insisting my friends to learn Hindi after my arrival here.
If you want to make a change, teach Hindi for some people around you.
//Hindi is really not welcome here.
I'm really ashamed to tell that, there were Anti- Hindi movements happened in TN rather Pro-Tamil. These were triggered by present H'ble CM those days mostly thru college students.
//I've not received any response.
I think you havent known the above history before writing to them.
To my honest opinion you will not.
My final words are, as music has no language, communication as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evOIO7VIKE0
'Unity in Diversity' is for what India is known for. You don't want that fame to be? :)
FYR1 : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_with_official_status_in_India (Please read the first two lines)
FYR2 : http://india.gov.in/knowindia/official_language.php (No clue given about India's National Language)
FYR3 : http://acharya.iitm.ac.in/tamil/kural/kural_browse.php
It's not about the greatness of language, you're going off the track. Language is a medium of communication and not something for what one should be so sensitive (as said by you before), what's all the fuss about? Moreover, if you search for literature, you'll find that all languages are unique in one way or the other. That's not what we are discussing here.
ReplyDeleteTamil may be close to your heart; nobody asks you not to speak it, but when it comes to communication with people with some other background, if you still stick to Tamil, I can see arrogance protruding out of pride.
The promotion of Hindi is also a step towards UNITY in diversity.
Why I wrote to the government?
I didn't want to leave any stone unturned.
I accept the discussion is about adoption of Hindi in Tamilnadu.
ReplyDeleteI also wish the same as I conveyed earlier. But the way you try to do is not exactly the better way to do this. (Though I have no better options, I say this).
If Ashutosh can generate the right way to do this, Sateesh will come behind Ashutosh to implement this.
To whomsoever you write, it will be blocked by the political game. The statement is this 'This could not be done directly/ legally/ proceduraly.
Also, the political status is more worse in TN. As you know, after End of Eelam war the people are deeply dissatisfied on the govt., People stop considering themselves as Indian due to the revenge of the Central Govt.,on Tamil People in Eelam(inspite of LTTE) supported by the State Govt.,
If some rule like you said, compulsary Hindi for atleast 5 yrs comes, first of all it wont be allowed by state govt., (bcas these dogs has no other bones). Even if state govt., allow this, the dissatisfied people wont make it go.
Further if you want to talk on LTTE/ Tamil Eealam issue, please turn back the history.
//you'll find that all languages are unique in one way or the other
ReplyDeleteYou havn't understood the wealth of this language yet. You will not try to. what u said is a general statement.
//I can see arrogance protruding out of pride.
I can not understand how speaking in one's mother tongue is arrogant.
Pls understand that India is not like any other countries where they have a common language from the ancient days.
@ Sateesh
ReplyDeleteFor the comment above, I'd say, despite corrupt politicians, I am hopeful that somewhere some minister will be working for the country. Who knows, the minister whom I've written could be good, he could also be bad, but I always take the positive aspect and hope that my voice will be heard.
As I've been repeating so far, without even conveying my message once, I cannot expect the ministers to work, so it was my duty to convey the message.
So far as the point of arrogance is concerned, my view has been taken upside down.
I am NOT against Tamil language, I'm neither of the opinion that Tamil should not be used. It's the mothertongue of people of Tamilnadu and it is their constitutional right to use it, no offence against that. What I want to convey, is that if someone, who's an outsider comes and tries to strike a conversation, you should reply in Hindi.
Don't take me wrong, I am not another Raj Thackeray, who'll target particular linguistic group. My point is, if there's someone in need and doesn't know Tamil, lack of knowledge of Tamil should not be fatal to him/her.
I just want to see the kind of friendly atmosphere in the whole of South India in general and Tamilnadu in particular, as is existing in the rest of India.
You need not know Gujarati to survive happily in Gujarat; the same holds true for Punjab, Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra (apart from MNS menace) and certain parts of AP and Karnataka too.
Mostly all the states have their local language, but that doesn't mean they'll ban Hindi in their state.
Wishing you all the best for your endeavor!! :)
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm, I seriously want to do the best I can...
ReplyDeleteBut currently, I'm loaded with project work and a great deal of academic work; but I'll definitely try my best at the earliest...
Well Sateesh, your comments are not only aggressive, but also offensive. If what you said about Annadurai is right, and had he been alive now, I would have campaigned to get him arrested. This is humiliation of the nation, insult of the most widely spoken language. It is highly juvenile to compare the animal and language, I would say only headless people would do that.
ReplyDeletePlease understand. Tamilnadu is not a country. It is a state in India. People here do speak English, but how do I communicate to a vendor, a watchman and millions of the likes who don't know anything but Tamil.
People in Punjab, Bengal, Gujarat, Orissa and Maharashtra, despite having their own languages, use Hindi when some outsider comes and speaks.
You said we love Tamil, as if I don't love Gujarati, or someone from Maharashtra doesn't love Marathi. We love our mothertongue, but for the sake of convenience of others, and as a symbol of respect towards the country we do use Hindi. We don't go on boasting about it. It is our language, we love it, and if someone wants to learn, we help him/her out; we don't forcibly teach our language to people, nor we create such circumstances that make people learn our language, instead we welcome them as what they are.
The Italian spoke in Hindi, nobody made him do that. Everyone was flexible about English. Similarly if someone wants to learn Tamil, he/she will, but people are rendered helpless here and left with no choice irrespective of their interest or disinterest.
It is very sad that people here are feeling cursed, if they get a job in Chennai, they somehow want to get out from here, but they are not at fault, the very culture itself is not adaptable enough. I don't see any welcome gesture for outsiders.
This is THE reason, I'd never like to stay in Tamilnadu, once my studies are over.
I don't have problems in learning Tamil. I may.
Provided I'm not made to do that. If it is enforced on me, I'd not do it. Create an atmosphere wherein you welcome others and show them your hospitality and culture, then only someone will feel inclined towards learning Tamil, simply throwing tantrums towards people from other states will earn nothing but disrespect and disgust.
There are so many people here, who would go and watch Hindi movies in theaters and enjoy, but if someone asks something in Hindi, they will reply in Tamil or English; despite knowing that the other person doesn't know any of those.
You're not getting the whole point Sateesh. In my career, I may be thrown from Chennai to Bangalore to Delhi to Hyderabad to Kolkata in a matter of less than a decade.I can simply not go on learning all the languages, because I have got many other things to do.
ReplyDeleteEnglish is spread more widely in TN. Agreed. I can speak it, but how about some illiterate rural boy who comes here in search of a job??? How will he survive??? Despite belonging to any state in India, he will be knowing Hindi, but being illiterate he won't be knowing English.
Does that mean he can't live comfortably in an INDIAN city???
I don't think so.
Why to talk about some imaginary person???
Even we find it difficult to communicate to bus conductors, waiters in restaurants, roadside shopkeepers etc. They don't even understand English, forget Hindi.
Now you tell me, who would like to live somewhere where he/she can't communicate with local people??? That's really suffocating.
People start complaining about Tamil culture because they are not welcomed, they are not treated equally. Be a little flexible. Welcome them, talk to them in Hindi, and they would ask you to teach them Tamil. It's mutual. I'm not telling people here to be grammatically perfect in Hindi, they should at least be able to communicate when needed.
People complain only when they are dejected. If you welcome them with warm hands, and accept them as they are, they have no reason to complain.
I would never expect a person coming to Gujarat to learn Gujarati. If he/she asks me for help, I would definitely teach the language; but whether to learn it or not, will be left to his/her will. I think that's how you make people fall in love with your culture.
And about Annadurai statement.
ReplyDeleteThat hurt the Indian in me, not the Gujarati in me; and I proudly say that I am an Indian first and then Gujarati.
A coin has two sides. Positive and Negative. Look at the positive.
ReplyDeleteEven I am against dilution of any culture. What I ask for, is a little adaptability. Retain the culture, but don't turn deaf ears to others.
Hindi being known to more than 90% Indians, and English known to not even 30%, it's really foolish to say English should be used locally.
English is NOT sufficient to survive happily in TN, nor anywhere else. You can't expect illiterate locals to speak English.
I have thousands of torturous experiences to share on account of language barrier, but that would bring down the discussion to debate, so let's not do that.
Again, why should a rural boy not be able to speak English??????
There are three perspectives in this statement.
1) Nothing is impossible. I appreciate the positivity. Thumbs up.
2) Government is not working. It's really not as easy as we think sitting on a chair, so better do something rather than blaming the system. Thumbs down.
3)White Skin Complex. Despite not knowing English, Chinese, Russians, French are much ahead of many countries. Why should we always adapt something that is done in the west???
My problem is not with English, it is with the attitude. With so many ethnic groups and linguistic richness, why should we enforce some other language?
The simplest of logics is that if a language is known to more than 90% people of the country, no other language can replace the status of forming a common communication platform.
Let people retain their diversity, but let them also be united under the same roof; and everyone can be accommodated only under the biggest roof.
I think, now there's nothing more to argue, as the point has been put up in the simplest and the most explicit possible way, still if there's something, I'd love to discuss.
My point is very simple.
Let the cultures not be diluted, let them mix, that will make them even better.
If almost everyone follows the same language while conversing with people from different cultural groups, follow that. Retain your own language. Be proud of that, but don't be arrogant by saying that we won't learn Hindi.
Proudly say that you love Tamil, but never even dare to say that you hate Hindi.
And Annadurai's statement was above Indian=Hindian. It can't be made for any language in the world. It was a humiliation clear as a crystal. Comparing Hindi with Rat and Tamil (I suppose) with Tiger was highly adamant, juvenile and offensive. Had he said the same about Marathi or Telugu, then also it would have offended me, and if someone says the same about Tamil, I would not like it; because he is nobody to hurt people's sentiments.
Common language has to be what is commonly spoken.
Please read this with an open mind:
ReplyDelete-> Why Hindi is national language?
--> Because of easiness: It is spoken the most in India.
-> Does this mean Hindi is better than Tamil?
--> NO. and it is irrelevant. It is not because how good it is based on technicality or heritage.
->Should Tamil people stop speaking either?
--> NO. Tamil is one of the best languages. Hindi is the common denominator to communicate with people from different states.
->SAVING TAMIL AND NEGLECTING HINDI ARE DIFFERENT THINGS
->There are no SOUTH INDIANS we all are just INDIANS from south, west or east.
->I do not know a single word in Tamil but am as proud of it as some of my friends because its an INDIAN LANGUAGE and I am an INDIAN...
Fully agreed to the comment above.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to make a humble request. Please don't post anything anonymously. Let us have a fair discussion, and besides one should always stand by what one believes.
Thank you.
It seems lot more has happened.. Havent u noticed you were talking with two diff persons? Myself (சதிஷ் Sateesh)and சிவம்?
ReplyDelete//If it is enforced on me, I'd not do it.
ReplyDeleteThe same applies for us.
//who would go and watch Hindi movies in theaters and enjoy
I do watch Hindi Movies, I'm not comfortable to talk in Hindi fluently
//Hindi being known to more than 90% Indians, and English known to not even 30%, it's really foolish to say English should be used locally.
Tamil being known to all 100% Tamilans, and Hindi known to not even 5%, it's really foolish to say Hindi should be used locally.
//if a language is known to more than 90% people of the country, no other language can replace the status of forming a common communication platform
What if a language is known to all 100% of the ppl
//Be proud of that, but don't be arrogant by saying that we won't learn Hindi.
No one has said 'We wont Learn Hindi'. But Why should we know one that we dont need. For the sake of others.
//Proudly say that you love Tamil, but never even dare to say that you hate Hindi.
I like Hindi and its ability to be a common Language. But it will take lot more time to make ppl here to be comfortable with Hindi. But slowly it will happen.
//Comparing Hindi with Rat and Tamil (I suppose) with Tiger
Has any one compared in that way?? Never... It was your misconception like most ppl do.
//Tamil being known to all 100% Tamilans, and Hindi known to not even 5%, it's really foolish to say Hindi should be used locally.//
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to say that. All I ask for is that people throughout India should understand Hindi and should communicate in Hindi in case of communication with person belonging to different linguistic background.
//What if a language is known to all 100% of the ppl//
There's no language known to 100% people of INDIA. Hindi is the only language with which majority of the country is familiar.
When it comes to governmental policies, I do agree that greater fault lies on their part for not effectively implementing the policies. In my opinion, Hindi must be taught at least for 5 years in all the schools throught the country, including oral examinations and elocution competition etc.
The rat and Tiger analogy was more than crystal clear from the statement allegedly made by Annadurai.
I just hope, people will realise one thing.
Tamilnadu is not greater than India, neither is Maharashtra (Thackarey should read this), nor is any other state in India.
Let's bow to mother India, and stay together like siblings.
Let's just not have diversity, let's have UNITY in diversity.
You go to a mountain range and find some ethnic tribes and offer them a Hi-Fi life at free of cost. Will they come with you?
ReplyDeleteYou go to a village in your own state and offer them a flat in Delhi. Will they come with you?
Once you are done with your job in a Hindi speaking metro, ask your Parents to join with you. Will they come with you comfortably?
Adaptation/Change is inconvenient. The same applies for all.
If there is a fire/drought/unavoidable reason for the above cases respectively, they will work.
There is no such fire/drought/unavoidable reasons here in TN.
I know tamil ppl living/settled in N.India/Hindi Speaking region, because of fire/drought/unavoidable reasons.
But they are meager in number.
I know ppl from one of our near-by state living/settled in N.india/Hindi Speaking region in large numbers for the same fire/drought/unavoidable reasons.
Again 'Survival of the Fittest'
I found nowhere ppl here in Haryana using Haryanwi Language. It is because of their dependence. Wud you hope Haryanwi will be there down the line after 50 yrs from now?
I dont want to talk on culture of ppl here. I respect it for what ever it is.
//Tamilnadu is not greater than India
Historically though Politically not, Tamilnadu is not in India.
According to modern politics(last 150yrs) TN has became a part of a united country called India.
This is not a separation statement but the fact.
Have you ever heard about tamil ppl motived opposing/attacking Hindi speaking ppl?
It has never happened in TN.. I will never Happen...
"Vandaarai Vaalha vaikum Tamilagam"(Tamilnadu, which gives place and life to whoever come here)
But NO one has noticed the POSITIVE side of it.
You must have heard about Gurunanak College, Jain Schools and Colleges in TN.
In my home town (Madurai), we used to study in Schools with many N.Indian friends
There are ppl who came all the way from N.India and became Land Lords and being in High Positions in the community. They feel Tamilnadu as a safe and good place to live(again, Survival of the Fittest)
there is a tamil proverb "yaadhum voore yaavarum kelir"(All the world is my hometown, all people are kinsmen of my own)
Yes.. Tamilars are adaptable to live anywhere on the earth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_diaspora ; http://murugan.org/research/sivasupramaniam.htm)
It is blindly as "If you don't know Hindi I will not talk with you/respect you"
//All I ask for is that people throughout India should understand Hindi
As I said.. It will happen .. but not forcibly.. not in a hurry...
It is happening...
Sateesh........ you're taking the matter from nowhere to everywhere...
ReplyDeleteI am talking of convenience... Exceptions will always be there...
You're agreeing to me in the bottomline, and I really feel that the quality of discussion is being lost, let this be a discussion, not a platform for spurting out arguments. Anyway, since you're convinced of my message (as in your last statements), I won't go on attacking your other statements, so as to make this blog refreshing for any reader. Let's not make it monotonous.
If you accept the same (as in my last statements), there is no need for such a blog attacking ppl.
ReplyDelete