Editor,
There is no point in reopening the debate or discussion on the official status of Hindi as the official language in India. More than enough to fill a few dozen libraries has been written on the subject. The fact however remains that many states in the country with their millions of inhabitants do not speak the language and are unfamiliar and uncomfortable with Hindi. Notwithstanding the wishful thinking of the Sangh Parivar that it should be otherwise, this is the political status of Hindi in India. The language is spoken mainly in the Indo-Gangetic cow belt states but trying to ram Hindi down the throats of non Hindi speaking minority communities and states is an entirely different matter. It crosses the limits of political gimmickry and instead stands out as a sore thumb of a society that has no respect nor consideration for the sentiments of other minority societies. In a single word it stands out as uncouth loutishness!
On the opening day of the Budget Session of MDA.02, ie the March 20, 2023, the Governor chose to address the August House of the Legislative Assembly in Hindi. Some MLAs, obviously for whom Hindi is as equivalent as Greek, walked out as a sign of protest. Good for them! One is given to believe that the Chief Minister then tried to defend this action of the Governor by stating that it’s because of his Excellency’s limitations in terms of fluency of being able to speak or read. In simple layman’s language, English deficiency is the guy’s forte! But no problem there as it’s the sort of political theatrics followed by the usual incomprehensible explanations that all Indian’s are being acclimatized to.
One is worried however about other more serious issues than political dramatics. My worry stems from the fact of the existence of a Head of State who is unacquainted with the English language in a state where English is the official language. My perplexity rapidly becomes acute worry when I turn to Art 153 – Art 162 of the Constitution of India. All bills of the State Government and those of the Autonomous District Councils have to attain the approval of the Governor. But then all official correspondence between Raj Bhavan and these premier institutions of governance are in English. Can someone then kindly explain how the Governor, with his acknowledged limitations, gives his assent or dissent on files written in a language he is totally unfamiliar with? Will he act without comprehending and awareness of the advice being given to him by the Council of Ministers of the State of Meghalaya? Will the reasoning power of the Governor then be at the whims and mercy of his Hindi knowing ADCs or Secretaries? Will we now be witnessing a home-grown version of the BBC’s “Yes Minister” video series? This brings us to the pertinent point which is – if what is suspected is true then what is the use or role of the current occupant of The Raj Bhavan, Shillong?
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Shillong’s traffic snarls
Editor,
I fully endorse Jenniefer Dkhar’s write up of March 17, 2023 regarding road rage and traffic jams in our city. The way we drive our vehicles on the road has now influenced the way we live our lives with people becoming aggressive and selfish in their daily lives with no thought given at all to the inconvenience of others. The situation will only get worse with no action being taken by the government. The Traffic Department appears to be quite inactive as about two years ago they
had requested the undersigned for some tips to ease the congestion and these tips were given to the department a couple of times but no action was ever taken till date. The tips given will not solve the city’s traffic problem but will help to ease the congestion to some extent in some areas. This traffic jam problem has to be taken seriously and has to be tackled on a war footing and unless it is done so, we the common people will continue to suffer. Let us insist that the new government gives this problem the attention that it deserves.
Yours etc.,
D.M. Pariat,
Via email
Whose is the region; his the language
Editor,
The goings-on in the Assembly are now confronted by a patriot: “we don’t want interpretations of the Governors address.” Ardent’s claims are highly relevant, and he is going to be widely respected, loved and misinterpreted. We need this attitude; it was long overdue. I’m only sad that many others did not walk out with him, because I’m sure most of them didn’t understand a word that was being said, but thought that they were doing the decent thing, which every common person and anyone is capable of.
One kind of man will risk nothing, another wants risks. Either way one is making a sacrifice. It is the higher ones that overcome this artificial decency that one is obliged to comply with. That separates them from the herd, and in so defying it perform a heroic act on impulse or on careful consideration…in this case, as far as I could tell – on impulse; a reasonable impulse without being overwhelmed by stormy feelings and temper, one that can be interpreted as reasonable compassion for the masses whom Ardent represents.
We must remember that blind indulgence to any dignitary, regardless of whether it is out of a genuine or a hostile affect, is the cause of the greatest evils. Great character does not consist in not possessing a hostile affect – on the contrary, great men possess them to the highest degree – but they keep that hostile character under control and that is what we could discern in the way the VPP staged their walkout – gracious, noble and exalted. This was the dynamite many were expecting and waiting for from the VPP and it was fired on the very first day of the Assembly session – a genuine Khasi fighting for a sensible cause. This act will have an invaluable effect for the Party.
If English is a foreign language which we should not accept then so is democracy. Is it appropriate for the elected representatives to be addressed in a language they do not understand? No. They must be respected by anyone who is required to address them. Is it appropriate for the House to be confronted like this? Time will tell because the answer to that will settle the greatest dispute that confronts the country today.
Yours etc.,
Gregory Shullai,
Via email