Only theTamilians seem to be different with a sandalwood pasted forehead,
rasam-sambar, and their language whether in Zunheboto or Napa Valley.
But for them Hindi would have blown us over many times now. My gratitude to
them.
BTW how about making the learning of an Indian non-Hindi) compulsory for the
Hindies? Just as Hindi is being pushed through our throats they also should
be made to savour the taste of another language, otherwise where is the fun of
integration.
------------
I fully agree with the core of the letter. My observations concern only with
the quote.
It is true that once you visit Tamilnadu or some other Southern States of
India, you do feel that Hindi has not made a good deal of success in these
States. But there are thousands and thousands of South Indians working outside
the State, in the capital of India itself, and then in the Armed forces, in
commercial undertakings and so on, who learn Hindi and speak the language with
pride for being able to speak it, say like those living in Delhi like the
Delhi-ites themselves. A high official of the Parliament's Secretariat once
told me that his Tamil Office Assistants wrote better Hindi than their native
Hindi speaking colleagues from UP or elsewhere.
All India Officers posted to different States do have to acquire proficiency in
local languages. And some do learn the languages very well. People do learn
another tongue out of need or compulsion, if not just for the love of it. And,
yes, for love as well!
Just I now remember a non-Welshman receiving highest accolade for contribution
to the Welsh language, a language which many Wales do not speak. Then an Indian
becoming a celebrity for his contribution to gypsy culture of the world!
Bhuban
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