The issue of Hindi is a highly polarising one, as most of the time the side one chooses depends on which part of the country one belongs to.
Most North Indians argue that since it is the most widely spoken language, Hindi should be the national language. Some, including celebrities have even falsely claimed that Hindi is India’s national language.
BCCL/ File
This however has been historically opposed by non-Hindi states, especially those in the south, where the language is intertwined with their identity.
Any attempts by the government to promote the language over others is often branded as Hindi imposition and is often met with fierce resistance.
While the never-ending debate continues, a village in Kerala is taking a different approach.
An entire village in Kerala is learning Hindi
Chelannur village in Kozhikode district is on a mission to attain 100 Hindi literacy by Republic Day next year, becoming the, first such civic body in the state and probably the first in south India.
PTI
Panchayat president Nousheer PP said the project targeted to make every villager aged between 20-70 years as Hindi literate.
A series of workshops were conducted and an expert panel of instructors was formed from the village panchayat itself to train the aspiring learners.
Teachers and volunteers impart Hindi lessons
Besides Hindi teachers, ex-military personnel, Gulf returnees and homemakers who are fluent in the language were also identified and included in the panel, he said.
“With the support of the Hindi teachers of the village schools, a module of teaching and study materials was prepared. Thus, the Hindi study classes begun in all the 21 wards of the panchayat using these study materials and instructors,” the panchayat president said.
PTI
Preparations started last year
The preparatory work started last year. A total of 25-30 people are attending each class and three-four sessions are conducted every week in each ward.
All the instructors were voluntarily providing service and the panchayat has earmarked only limited funds for the project with Rs 25,000 last year and Rs 50,000 this year, authorities added.
The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority, the block resource centre under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha extended all support and assistance to the initiative.
PTI
Migrant workers, the biggest reason to learn Hindi
Unlike its neighbouring states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where the battle over language has often turned ugly, Kerala has not seen such scenes over Hindi.
But one of the main reasons the authorities initiated a Hindi literacy programme was due to the presence of migrant workers from North India.
Today, migrant workers from central and northern states make up the majority of the unorganized workforce in Kerala from the construction sector to restaurants and barber shops.
The migrant workers, most of them who are not educated beyond high school find it difficult to pick up the Malayalam language, even after living and working in Kerala for years.
BCCL
Growing problem of language disconnect
Many who employ migrant workers also face difficulties in conveying their message as they are not comfortable in Hindi.
Authorities have credited the interest in learning Hindi to this as it would equip them with the basics to communicate and deal with the guest workers.
“In the local provision store here, the delivery boy and helper are migrants. Hotel and construction workers are migrants. The person who comes for menial jobs at home is a guest worker. I felt that it would be good if I could ask him in Hindi whether he had his food. So, I decided to pursue this learning programme,” Abdul Salam, a senior citizen said.
The civic body also clarified that the initiative that was launched amid the intensifying language has nothing to do with Hindi imposition.
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