The English Club

ESTD:2011 A Love of Learning…

National Language of India

India is a country without a National Language. Article 351 says that it is the
duty of the union to promote the spread of Hindi language so that it may serve
as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of
India. But nowhere Hindi has been mentioned as the National Language.
Article 343 of the Constitution says that the official language of the Union
will be Hindi. Watch out, Hindi is an official not a National Language of
India. Hindi as the official language was vehemently opposed by non-Hindi
speaking states. The opposition turned violent and English was allowed to serve
as official language for 15 years. Later on the act was amended in 1967 to
allow continuation of the use of English for official purposes. We have 22
state languages included in schedule VIII of the Constitution. India being a
multilingual country, there is no National Language as such. Large states with
non-Hindi speaking population proved a destructive hurdle in the spread of
Hindi. They heaped contempt and spurned Hindi and treated it as an imposition
of the rule from the North over South. In recent years, the prejudice against
Hindi has deepened instead of abating.
What an irony! They had no objection against a foreign language. The All India
Council for Education in 1956 recommended the adoption of the three language
formula. It was adopted as a programme of action by the Parliament in 1992. The
lack of political will, opportunistic and divisive kind of politics failed
three language formula. The formula, if followed sincerely, would have
developed Hindi and helped it to take its rightful place.
Amidst this chaos English has flourished and endured. It is not wrong to say
that today it is unofficially the National Language. It is Lingua Franca for
success. There is a great demand for English education in India. The poor have
taken up the challenge because they know that knowledge of English is a
passport to success in the economic and social sphere.
The Census 2011 data are quite revealing. The English speakers in India out
number those in Britain. We have more English speakers than twice the UK
population. Hindi with 551.4 million speakers tops the list of speakers in any
language in India. Data collected by the National University for Education
Planning and Administration show that demand for English as a medium of
instruction has risen by 150% between 2003 to 2008. So English has stolen march
over other languages and become the second largest medium in India's primary
schools after Hindi.
There is no escaping the truth that every parent has a longing to send their
children to English medium schools. They know that only English can provide
access to better jobs. What is more, English is probably the only language
which is spoken all over the world and has taken roots in the soil of India.
There is nothing to write against the official regional languages. Rather it is
to be pitied that Indian children of every shade and hue are struggling with a
foreign language at the grass root level. That we are deprived of our rich
culture is quite disappointing. The compulsive need for economic empowerment
has led us away from our spiritual urges. Little wonder, our basic needs have
driven us to accept a world where English reigns. There is no ambiguity in the
statement that “without knowledge of English, progress for a middle class or
poor Youngman is a far cry".
However, culturally and spiritually we are losers. Western values have
overtaken us and being an Indian in the real sense is no longer a matter of
pride. In fact, retention of English language has had adverse effect in that it
has taught us to think like a Western. Undoubtedly our contact with English has
made us liberal. But it is ironical that our country has not been able to
protect its heritage.
India has the richest collection of great works of art and architecture. But
inheritance has fallen apart for lack of study of Hindi and Sanskrit. Political
factors have denied the status of classical language to Sanskrit. If modern
culture has overwhelmed our valuable traditions it is because there is no
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vehicle to propagate our own traditions.

 The English Club
ESTD:2011 A Love of Learning…

Today India is engaged in redefining morality regardless of our past values and
cultural life. Whenever we try to talk of our past heritage, the secularists
term it as the saffronization of India. This is the most perilous and
confrontationist attitude of those in power. National Language is the most
suitable mode of expression of our cultural heritage. No culture can flourish
without a National Language. Past cannot be modified and improved by the
present because there is no National Language in India. Our own culture rooted
in our traditions is likely to go extinct soon.
Right to Information (RTI)
Right to Information is a part of our Fundamental Rights to the freedom of
speech and expression as well as right to life and personal liberty. They are
secured in our Constitution in the Articles 19 (1) (g) and 21 respectively. The
Fundamental Right to freedom of speech and expression is meaningless unless we
have right to information. The right to information will provide us information
to express and form our opinions on the subjects.
Right to Information Act was passed on 15 th June, 2005 and came into force on
13th October, 2005. It is expected to usher in a new era in the process of
governance and performance in the corruption ridden Indian Polity. It has the
widest reach covering Central and State Governments, Panchayati Raj
Institutions, Local Bodies and Government funded NGOs. Even the Judiciary has
been put under the purview of this Act. On these lines state information
commissions have been set up at Central and State levels. The RTI Act, 2005
seeks to override the Official Secrets Act 1923 and replace the old Freedom of
Information Act. This Act provides 30 days deadline for providing information.
However, the deadline is 48 hours, if information concerns life and liberty of
a person. All the citizens are entitled to any kind of information.
The procedure for securing information has been clearly laid down. First appeal
has to be made to the superior of Public Information Officer referred as
Appellate Authority. In case the information is not forthcoming, one can appeal
to the Information Commission. To make the RTI Act effective penalty for delay
in providing information without reasonable cause shall be 250 for each day up
to the maximum of 25000. Thus, the most important feature of the RTI is the
independent appeal mechanism.
The RTI Act provides for access to extensive information with minimum
exemptions. There is no denying the fact that the benefits of growth would flow
to all sections, eliminate corruption and improve the much needed quality of
governance. It is hoped that the concerns of the common man will be addressed
by the government in a fair and just manner. Thus, the access to information
would strengthen Indian democracy. The Right to Information Act is really going
to change the way of governance. However, every thing is not rosy about RTI. A
survey was conducted by RTI Assessment and Analysis Group and National Campaign
for People’s Right to Information. Few would dispute that the RTI Act is one of
the most people friendly legislations. But road to accessing information
remains difficult. 40% of rural Information seekers complain of harassment.
Over 30% of Public Information Officers admitted that they did not know the
Act’s provisions.
Any attempt to dilute the act might send a wrong signal. The government seems
to have made their intention clear to amend the RTI Act. They have already
mooted amendments to exclude file notings from disclosure and maintain
anonymity for officials. The agitation led by social activist Anna Hazare and
present Information Commissioner might deter the government from diluting the
Act. There is already a long list of exemptions attached with RTI Act.
It Is a matter of great concern that in June 2011 Government has excluded
Central Bureau of Investigation from the purview of the RTI Act. It is crystal
clear that Government does not want to lose hold over the premier investigating
agency. The CBI is already a much maligned agency working under the control of
the politicians. This step of the government is quite a serious set back to its
often repeated determination to wage war against corruption. It does not speak
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well for the future of democracy. In fact, RTI Act 2005 is a major step forward
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towards openness and transparency in governance. Democracy requires an informed

 The English Club
ESTD:2011 A Love of Learning…

citizenry because only an enlightened citizen can make a force that democracy
is. It is expected to go a long way in changing the substance and quality of
our democracy.

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