JLF discusses AADHAR of ‘AADHAR'

Oxford Dictionaries, on Saturday, during the third day of JLF announced Aadhaar as the Hindi Word of the Year. In modern Hindi, aadhaar means ‘base’ or ‘foundation’, but the decision to use this word as the name of India’s new identification initiative was the topic of discussion  during the session titled ‘Lok Bhasha: The Oxford Dictionaries Hindi word of the year’. Some panelist termed it as ‘dangerous’, some defined it as a political tool and some termed it as a non-negotiable human value. The session also discussed some other aspects of language, pronunciation and the role of society in defining it. Here’a lowdown on what the panelists had to say about AADAHR, Hindi and language.

Ashok Vajpayee:

From birth I am a ‘Niradhar' person. Without AADHAR I am not considered an Indian, my citizenship comes under threat if I don't have AADHAR. I would rather re-define it as ‘Pehchan'. Taking a jibe at the writers he said that we all should understand it very clearly, it’s the language which makes the writer, it is not the writer who makes the language. A person who is short of words are ‘ghatiya' and our politicians fit into this category perfectly well.

Saurabh Dwivedi:

When we were kids we use to read in GK about the word of the year in the dictionary. It is a great achievement for Hindi language that it frequently produces words of the year. AADHAR was the subject of discussion not just in the political corridors, but also in rural India. Five cases related to it are being heard by the constitutional bench of Supreme Court. The journey of this unique card is very unique. When PM Modi was CM he used to hate AADHAR and after becoming PM he has linked AADHAR with major schemes.

Chitra Mudgal:

AADHAR has become a tool for politicians. AADHAR ke Bina hum NIRADHAR hey, (we have no identity without AADHAR). Be it Bangla, Sanskrit or Gujarati, almost every other regional language has incorporated the word.This has become a political card for certain section of people.

Pankaj Dubey:

Some asked me hours back that what is required to become a writer and I replied ‘AADHAR'. It has became a mandatory part of our life.

Vinod Dua:

AADHAR is related to our moral values which cannot be negotiated.