World Hindi Day: Why Linguistic Diversity In Education Is Crucial For Enriching Students' Perspectives

Annually observed on January 10, ¡®World Hindi Day¡¯ commemorates the inaugural World Hindi Conference in 1975 in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Officially declared in 2006 by the then government, it promotes the cultural significance of Hindi, acknowledging it not just as the official language but also as a symbolic representation of India's diverse linguistic heritage. It is also an occasion that reminds us of our rich vernacular roots.

Regarding linguistic diversity, nine states in India designate Hindi as their official language, while others have regional languages such as Assamese, Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Sindhi, and Urdu, to name a few.

This linguistic variety not only adds to the aesthetic charm of our culture but also forms an integral aspect of our national identity. Therefore, whenever we speak of our great nation, we affirm that unity in diversity stands as our greatest strength.

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Following the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 emphasises the importance of acquiring proficiency in three languages to cultivate multilingualism and appreciation for India's rich linguistic diversity. The three designated languages include R1, which serves as the medium of instruction (MoI) and facilitates initial literacy attainment, typically in the student's mother tongue. Moving on to R2, it encompasses any language, including English, while R3 denotes any language other than those designated as R1 and R2.

It is also particularly important to preserve cultural and linguistic diversity, especially in the current era where technology is dynamically reshaping the world. Technological advancements are exerting a strong influence across various sectors, including education, where curricula and pedagogical approaches are experiencing transformative effects.

Integrating technology with vernacular languages can also enrich teaching, broaden the scope of examinations, and help translate educational materials. Additionally, the fusion of Indian languages with technology has the potential to unlock boundless opportunities for India's youth across various demographics.

Promoting regional languages can play an important part in ensuring unbiased education, academic inclusivity, bringing all students to a level playing field through a student-centric approach and facilitating easy information sharing between teachers and students.

As stated by UNESCO in its report on 'Why mother language-based education is essential,' a multilingual education rooted in the vernacular language empowers all learners to actively participate in society. This approach cultivates mutual understanding and respect among individuals, contributing to the preservation of the rich cultural and traditional heritage embedded in every language worldwide.

In India, we often see a divide between students who come from vernacular educational backgrounds and those who study in English medium schools. This conflict has been depicted rather eloquently in the recent film '12th Fail' where a student is judged harshly at an interview for not knowing English. He is discouraged at every step for his rural schooling and yet he manages to fulfil his dream of becoming an IPS officer because in his opinion, only someone like him can understand grassroots issues because he has faced them first-hand. The film argues that if Hindi or any other regional language can help students to negotiate with their academic challenges and to advance in their careers, we, as educators, should make provisions to ease their way.

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I also believe that when students from mainstream schools explore vernacular languages, they cultivate an appreciation for diversity. A significant portion of our literary and historical heritage resides in regional languages. Facilitating learning in local languages can familiarise students with the vast literary and historical legacy of India, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural awareness. This, in turn, contributes to the cultivation of a more well-rounded and knowledgeable generation of students. Come to think of it, be it cinema or global culture, people are now emerging from their linguistic silos to co-create and synergise. The citizens of the future will need exposure to not just one but many languages and they will have to be open to learning a plethora of new ideas and perspectives.

Treating all languages with respect can pave the way for creating a healthy environment where students are not judged by their proficiency in just one language. When a student who is only well-versed in Hindi, Tulu, Tamil, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu or Kannada feels visibilised, included, heard and encouraged, she/he can even pick up challenging concepts and ideas easily. Absorbing knowledge in one's preferred language enhances comprehension, elevating the overall learning journey. This shift enables optimism among students and bolsters their self-confidence. Moreover, it encourages more students to pursue higher studies, breaking language barriers and creating a participative academic environment. This approach also results in standardised quality education, yielding better learning outcomes, especially for theory-based subjects traditionally taught in English, which might pose challenges for certain students.

To conclude, occasions like World Hindi Day serve as poignant reminders for us all to acknowledge and preserve our vernacular roots, our shared linguistic and cultural heritage and to bridge equity gaps that are created when one language is preferred over another.

About the author: Rajesh Bhatia is an educator and founder of the TreeHouse chain of schools. All views/opinions expressed in the article are of the author.