The Centre has decided to promote use of Hindi in routine conversation in government offices and in North East and South India to make the language more popular.
Chairing a meeting of Hindi Advisory Committee, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that in spite of government’s emphasis on increased use of Hindi in official work, a lot still needs to be done.
Common colloquial Hindi used in routine conversation can be promoted to begin with, he was quoted as having said in a press release issued by Personnel Ministry.
Stressing the need to promote the use of Hindi in regions like North-East and South India where it is not a common medium of language, Singh said that Hindi has the capacity to serve not only as a common medium of communication for whole country, but it also carries high stakes for youngsters who aspire for jobs in corporate sector and multi-national companies where knowledge of Hindi is given an additional weightage during selection.
The meeting was held with the motive to promote the use of Hindi language in administration. Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, said the increased use of Hindi language requires experimentation with new ideas and application of innovative strategies.
As far as government working is concerned, he said that the approach should not be to impose Hindi, but to inspire to voluntarily adopt Hindi for larger interest of administration and ease of governance.
But obviously few on Twitter are very impressed with this plan:
Behind the veil of promised development the ulterior motive of BJP has always been to spread Hindi imperialism… https://t.co/xPHYiUazEK
— Rony Ghose (@AssamAtheist) June 9, 2016
“Promoting Hindi in routine conversation in south India” is one of the dumbest idea. Cowbelt morons prove why they are called cowbelt morons
— Shiva (@aususa7) June 9, 2016
When @narendramodi Govt suddenly dictates that South India & NE MUST have more Hindi! @sanjayuvacha @madversity pic.twitter.com/qRZIRTcWdX
— Veejay Sai (@veejaysai) June 9, 2016
Here we go again.There is a sizable part of India that believes learning Hindi is not necessary for a better life.https://t.co/WpJdmtJPGo
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) June 9, 2016
Funds used for Hindi promotion are unproducive drain.Any lang will grow on its own if it is relevant in livelihood. https://t.co/zWzfV5yz80
— ShanoVaruna (@SMedia4) June 9, 2016
Someone needs to remind these people that we live in India not Hindia. @dp_satish @GauthamMachaiah https://t.co/tstbAOkkLh
— Anoop Sugur (@anoopsugur) June 8, 2016
(with PTI inputs)