Stupendous Man

This post was inspired after I read a rather obtuse comment from a blogger on Desipundit for this article - http://www.desipundit.com/2006/01/12/shivsena-and-saving-maharashtra/#comments

Since I didnt want the comment section of Desipundit to become a war zone, I decided to vent out my frustration on my blog - also given the fact that I also get independence to say what I want! Now the blogger in question says this verbatim:

This comment is to no one in particular and is a comment on the post being referred to here. I find that all over India people keep repeating the same mistake and seem hell-bent on perpetuating it. Once and for all, folks, Hindi is not the ONLY “national” language of India. It is “official” (for the purposes of government communication) and enjoys the same rights and privileges as other languages (or should I say vice-versa?) This eulogizing Hindi/Bollywood and everything else “regional” is nauseating to say the least and is at the root of much bickering and divisiveness in Indian polity. Let’s hope that at least a generation of more traveled, enlightened and egalitarian Indians let go of such notions and embrace all that India is made of.

This bothered me greatly. Its been time immemorial that I have seen such comments now - and I wonder why is that its just the people from Tamil Nadu (not all mind you!) on this planet who make such a hue and cry about Hindi being official or national language or not? Surprisingly, I dont hear Gujjus making that comment - nor do I hear Maharastrians making that kind of comment. Nor have I heard Bongs say such things, or Andhraties - and I haven’t seen Kannadigas saying that either - or for that matter nor any Punjabi or a Malyalee complaining about it. From the person on the street to their Chief Minister to the now dead Veerapan, somehow they seem it fitting that because Tamil does not enjoy the status of Hindi in the country, there is something very wrong. I dont see it - Whats the big freaking deal?!

I find that all over India people keep repeating the same mistake and seem hell-bent on perpetuating it.

Except for some people, there is nobody who is hell bent on perpetuating it. Infact, I dont think anyone really cares that much at all LOL. Frankly nobody seems awfully bothered about which language has what status in India - if people stop comparing and enjoying the language without its political baggage, perhaps things can be simpler isnt it?

Once and for all, folks, Hindi is not the ONLY “national” language of India. It is “official” (for the purposes of government communication) and enjoys the same rights and privileges as other languages (or should I say vice-versa?)

India IS a diverse country. And for all good purposes, whether politically said or not, Hindi IS the most spoken language in India. Hindi IS the language most Indians can communicate in (save for English). So, Hindi, whether Thennavan likes it or not, IS the national language of India. Tamil is a great language too - it is confined to people who originate from Tamil Nadu, which is a part of India. So Tamil IS a regional language. Both Tamil and Hindi ARE Official languages of India. Both Tamil and Hindi get same rights and privileges.

So - what’s the point crying hoarse over it and complaining by shouting and using capitals that Hindi is not the ONLY “national” language of India? It is. Whether you like it or not. Only some people think it isn’t. Unfortunately they blog.

This eulogizing Hindi/Bollywood and everything else “regional” is nauseating to say the least and is at the root of much bickering and divisiveness in Indian polity.

Nauesating??! Why can’t we just let go off the notion of Languages being political or not once and for all? We all love to live in egalitarian society, provided the society does what we want to do - doesnt it? Else, we will spend our time arguing about infinite silliness about the political correctness of language. (Which btw is what exactly I am doing here!)

Actually, the funny thing is, this is the first time I am hearing that eulogizing Hindi/Bollywood has been the “root of much bickering and divisiveness in Indian polity” - I will LOL to that. No. I haven’t heard this before. Not from sane educated people anyways. Yes, I may have from politicians. But do I really care about them anyways?

And anyways, whats wrong about it? Hindi/Bollywood does rule most of India. Frankly I haven’t seen a Gujarathi complain that Hindi is the root of bickering. Or for that matter Mahastrians, Kannadigas, Andhraties, Bengalis - or the rest. No. Nobody seems to be complain. Except some.

Let’s hope that at least a generation of more traveled, enlightened and egalitarian Indians let go of such notions and embrace all that India is made of.

Actually, rest of India who are educated have already done so. Nobody really argues about their languages anymore. And frankly I haven’t met people (and god forbid, I dont want to meet them either!) who keep arguing about their languages either. Instead, I would rather meet people who introduce me to their literature and their language without the need of forcing its political equality in India.

Everybody has a right to be proud of their culture and their languages, but not at the expense of political idiocy and forcing others to accept their notions, which is exactly how that comment sounded to me. I for all sake WILL continue to say that Hindi is my national language, and Tamil is a regional language. Even if they dont sound equal - I dont think its a big deal. Nobody should be expected to speak for other languages either. Frankly, if we stopped bothering about whether my or your language is treated equally or not, we can all see that in the big picture, it is as equal as anything else! Else, languages wouldn’t survive this long.

To end, I must say - we can embrace India with all its notions of languages; frankly there is nothing WRONG or nothing that takes beauty of the country by doing it. So instead of sounding lectures to other people by merely saying “this is not targeted at anyone”, people should come out of their Tamil and start looking at the world with a broader frame of mind.

If you wondering about me? I have been very lucky to have spent my growing years in 12 different cities in India - that has given me a wonderful oppurtunity to assimilate with different languages and cultures, and have frankly given me a great perspective. Yes, I love Hindi and I think its a national language. When I am in Bangalore I speak Kannada - When I am in Ahmedabad, I speak Gujurathi. If need be, I can speak in Marathi too :). I can manage a bit of Punju too. And when I am in an cosmopolitan group, I speak Hindi. Thankfully none of those languages have taught me to be obtuse about them.

PS: Frankly nobody wants to create a hue and cry about English though. Which is funny.