As Gujarat turns 58, Gujarati language, which was the basis of its formation, lies in tatters: Experts
Gujarati language, the basis of the Mahagujarat Movement of 1956 for a separate state, has for long been a victim of neglect by successive governments and people alike, feel experts. The strong preference for English as the medium of education in schools and colleges, if not stopped, can lead to the demise of Gujarati language, they fear.
"Imagine, that in the 58th year of existence of the state, the government is talking about making Gujarati compulsory in all schools, independent of their boards," said Ramesh Tanna, publisher of Gujarati periodicals in the UK and Australia. "Both the government and people are to blame. Gujarati people do not seem to feel proud of their language."
Experts feel that privatisation of education has led to school management prioritising revenue maximisation over ensuring best education for students. "The world over, it has been established that children learn the best when taught in their mother tongue. However, English-medium schools charge higher fees and parents, following herd mentality, are sending students to these schools. Gujarati-medium schools are being shut down. At least the government should have continued efforts to encourage people to get their children educated in Gujarati," added Tanna. He fears that with the fall in the number of students of Gujarati language, there would soon be a day when the number of teachers teaching Gujarati would be scarce.
GN Devy, Chairman of People's Linguistics Survey of India, said the trend was because language did not command respect among people anymore. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi's preface to a book, 'Vernaculars As Media of Indian Schools and Colleges' by PJ Mehta, he said, "If we have lost faith in our vernaculars, it is a sign of want of faith in ourselves. It is the surest sign of decay... English will never make us a self-governing nation, if we have no respect for the languages our mothers speak."
Devy said: "All G-8 countries teach their children in local languages. If we continue to educate our children in foreign language, it is the surest way to ensure that India will continue to be the largest slave globally."
According to academicians, parents want their children to be taught in English-medium schools so that they could go abroad and earn well. "Children are confused as they speak in mother tongue at home and learn in English at schools," said Hitendra Trivedi, principal of CN Vidyalaya, which had to add English medium schools as the number of Gujarati medium students shrunk. "When we suggest that their children will be groomed better in Gujarati-medium schools, they think we are crazy. Schools have also stopped advising parents." The present situation is an indication that we have respect neither for Gandhiji nor our language, laments Devy.
IN NEGLIGENCE
- The strong preference for English as the medium of education in schools and colleges, if not stopped, can lead to the demise of Gujarati language, they fear.
- Experts feel that privatisation of education has led to school management prioritising revenue maximisation over ensuring best education for students.
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