 LANGUAGES

The energetic development of Indian languages and literature, according to the National Policy on Education is a sine qua non for educational and cultural development. The policy In addition, underlines the importance of the development of Hindi and Sanskrit and refers to the need for due emphasis to be given to the study of English, the associate official language of the Union. This chapter highlights the efforts of the Union Ministry in the field of the development of our languages in the light of the National Policy on Education.

Scientific and Technical Terminology for Indian Languages

Terminology in Hindi:

The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) was constituted in 1961 for the evolution of scientific and technical terminology. Later in 1963 terminology work in the humanities and social sciences was also assigned to it. During a decade of its work, the Commission has been able to complete a major part of its assigned task, namely evolution of terminology in most of the subjects. Work on engineering agriculture, medicine and departmental terminology in defence is in hand. In all, about 397,250 terms have been evolved and about 369,500 terms finalised so far. Terms of pure Sciences have been consolidated and coordinated and the consolidated Science Glossary comprising about 12,500 terms is ready for Press. Terms of Humanity has separately been coordinated and consolidated and the press copy of about 65,000 terms is under preparation and it is hoped will be ready for press in a couple of months.

Terminology in Urdu:

The Taraqui-e-Urdu Board, set up by the Ministry in 1969 to look after the programmes of producing 87

university-level books in Urdu, has also engaged itself in evolving scientific and technical terms in Urdu. In this regard the Board set up a high-power committee, which has recommended that the terms evolved by the CSTT may be suitably adopted in Urdu language, terms already current in Urdu in the subjects concerned may be preferred and terms in English may be retained where suitable equivalents are not available. Evolution of terminology in Urdu has been entrusted to scholars under the guidance of Prof. M. Mujeeb. The finalisation of technical terms in Urdu has been entrusted to subject expert committees. So far 57,800 terms in 16 subjects have been coined out of which 25,000 terms have been finalised.

Co-ordination Work Relating to Terminology:

Immediately, after the first few glossaries were printed by the CSTT, a concerted attempt was made to effect co-ordination of terminological work in various regional languages. In September, 1968, a conference of state officers in charge of regional languages was held by the Commission. The conference was of the view that in the interest of mobility on the part of teachers and students and that of higher research throughout the country, it was necessary that, as far as possible, scientific and technical terms in various languages should be uniform and the termi- nology evolved by the CSTT should serve as a basis for adoption/ adaption. The work has assumed greater significance in the context of the present massive programmes of producing university-level books in Indian languages. Complete data of terminological work conducted by various State agencies are being collected by the CSTT.

A broad-based continuing "Terminology Unit" is proposed to be created to undertake terminological work in future in various branches of sciences and to meet the needs of various government departments, universities and fast-developing Indian languages.

Terminological Glossaries and Dictionaries:

The work on the finalisation and co-ordination of terms has been in progress according to schedule. Coordination of terminology prepared

in various units/agencies with a view to preparing manuscripts for subject-wise and consolidated glossaries is a task that the CSTT has been pursuing simultaneously all these years 20 glossaries have been brought out so far.

Initiated in 1958 under the guidance of Dr. S. Verma, the then General Editor, work on definitional dictionaries was kept in abeyance in the CSTT during 1969-70, to enable the staff to concentrate on terminological work. On the, completion of inter-disciplinary coordination the work of definitional dictionary has now been taken up and the work is gaining momentum.

Promotion and Development of Hindi

The Central Hindi Directorate has continued to look after the development of Hindi, in addition to a few promotional programmes. Programmes for the propagation and promotion of Hindi, particularly in non-Hindi speaking States, are mostly implemented by the Ministry. Steps have also been taken for promotion of Hindi abroad. To provide, efficient teaching and training facilities, an autonomous body known as "KENDRIYA HINDI SHIKSHAN MANDAL" has been set up. An outline the programmes and activities in the field of propagation and development of Hindi is given below:

Appointment of Hindi Teachers in non-Hindi Speaking States

The Governments of non-Hindi speaking States are given financial assistance on a 100 per cent basis for the appointment of Hindi teachers in Upper Primary, High and Higher Secondary Schools in their jurisdiction. It is anticipated that during 1971-72 the implementation of the scheme will involve an expenditure of nearly Rs. 150 lakhs for payment of salaries to

about 7,200 teachers appointed under the scheme in 1966-67 and in subsequent years.

Establishment of Hindi Teachers' Training Colleges in non-Hindi Speaking States

Under this scheme the Union Government provides financial assistance to the Governments of non-Hindi speaking States on a 100 per cent basis for the establishment of Hindi Teachers

Training Colleges. It had been decided that such colleges which were set up in the Second and Third Plans and had completed a tenure, of five years should also continue to receive financial assistance up to the end of the Fourth Plan Thirteen such Training Colleges established under this scheme are functioning in various non-Hindi speaking States. The estimated expenditure during 1971-72 on the scheme will be of the order of Rs. 12 lakhs.

Opening of Hindi Medium Colleges or Establishment of Hindi Medium Sections in the Existing Colleges in non-Hindi Speaking States

An allocation of Rs. 50 lakhs was made for opening of Hindi Medium colleges or establishment of Hindi Medium sections in the existing colleges in non-Hindi speaking States in the Fourth Five Year Plan. The scheme as approved by the Planning Commission envisages the opening of Hindi Sections/ Departments in the existing colleges in non-Hindi speaking. States and financial assistance will be available for the appointment of Hindi lecturers, construction of additional accommodation, purchase of furniture, purchase of Hindi books for the college library etc.

Financial Assistance to Voluntary Hindi Organisations

Financial Assistance is being given to Voluntary Hindi Organisations to help them to carry on their Hindi propagation activities.

Award of Prizes to Hindi Writers of non-Hindi Speaking States

Hindi Writers belonging to non-Hindi speaking States whose monther-tongue is other than Hindi are awarded prizes of the value of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 according to First and Second gradations. Six first prizes of Rs. 1,000 each and five second prizes of Rs. 500 each were awarded during 1971-72.

Kendriya Hindi Shikshan Mandal, Agra

The Kendriya Hindi Shikshan Mandal, Agra, set up in 1960, runs a Central Hindi Institute at Agra. Apart from conducting two regular training courses viz. 'Hindi Shikshan Nishnat and 'Hindi Shikshan Parangat', for the training of Hindi teachers of non-Hindi speaking States, the Institute is also conducting Compressed and Short-term courses. At the instance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Institute started in May, 1970 an Intensive course of twelve weeks' duration at New Delhi for teaching Hindi to Central Government employees. Three such courses were completed in 1970-71 and 74 Central Government employees were taught Hindi in these courses. Three such courses will be conducted in 1971-72. The intake in each batch is about 28 persons.

Besides the above programmes, the following programmes have also been approved for being taken up by the Mandal in the Fourth Five Year Plan:

(i) Running of compressed teachers training courses for giving training to Hindi knowing teachers of non- Hindi speaking States.

(ii) Establishment of a Language Laboratory.

(iii) Preparation of Linguaphone records, tapes and reading material for teaching Hindi.

(iv) Short-term/Orientation/Refresher Courses for Hindi Teachers from non-Hindi speaking States.

During 1971-72, six candidates are receiving training in 'Nishnat' course and 85 in 'Parangat' course conducted by the Mandal. Similarly, 40 persons are receiving training under the %Compressed course programme conducted by the Mandal. The Short-term refresher course is of one month's duration for school teachers and two months' for college lecturers. Under these programmes, the intake in each batch is 30 and 20 persons respectively. During the year under report, five such courses

have already been conducted up to December, 1971 for school teachers and two Short-term courses for college lecturers. Arrangements for setting up a Language Laboratory by the Mandal at Agra have also been finalised and the Laboratory will start functioning from early 1972- 73. Under the scheme for the production of Linguaphone records, lessons have already been prepared and voices recorded. The tapes are now under preparation.

Scheme of Correspondence Courses in Hindi

Correspondence Courses in Hindi to teach Hindi to nonHindi speaking people and foreigners in the country and abroad were started in March 1968 by the Central Hindi Directorate. The main object was to provide facility of learning Hindi through the medium of English to those who could not do so for want of time and resources. The scheme envisages two general courses, viz., 'Hindi Pravesh' (a two years' advance course equivalent to the Hindi course prescribed for Matriculation) and three special courses, viz., 'Hindi Prabodh', 'Hindi Praveen' and 'Hindi Pragya'. The 'Hindi Pravesh' and 'Hindi Parichaya' courses are, open to persons above the age of 15 years whose mother-tongue is not Hindi. Prabodh, Praveen and Pragya courses are restricted to the following categories of Central Government employees:

(a) Class I Officers.

(b) Operational staff.

(c) Employees posted at places where there, are no Hindi teaching centres of the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Hindi Teaching Scheme and

(d) Teachers of Kendriya Vidyalayas.

5,803 students received coaching through Hindi Correspondence courses from 1968-69 to 1970-71. The number of

students who are at present on roll for the different courses is as under:

        
                  Hindi Pravesh 1st year                       2,500
                  Hindi Pravesh 2nd year                         550
                  Hindi Prabodh                                  264
                  Hindi Praveen                                  321

It is proposed to introduce Hindi Parichaya and Hindi Pragya courses from 1972-73.

Free Gift of Hindi Books

Under this scheme, suitable Hindi books are purchased for free distribution to schools, colleges, public institutions and libraries in non-Hindi speaking States. During 1970-71, 132 title's and 17 magazines worth Rs. 1.45 lakhs were purchased for distribution. During 1971-72, it is proposed to purchase Hindi books and magazines to the tune of Rs. 2.50 lakhs for free distribution to the schools, colleges, public institutions and libraries in non-Hindi speaking States.

Hindi Information Centre

This Centre is continuing to provide authentic information on various aspects of Hindi language and literature Hindi equivalents of technical terms are promptly supplied on the telephone, when questions are asked by the members of the Public.

Extension Programmes

These include:

(i) Workshops for new non-Hindi writers;

(ii) Study tours of Hindi students in non-Hindi areas; and

(iii) lecture tours of Hindi scholars from Hindi speaking areas to non-Hindi speaking areas and vice versa.

The Workshops of Hindi writers in non-Hindi speaking areas will be held at Waltair (Andhra Pradesh) and Ramnathi (Goa) in January, 1972.

Ten Lecture tours of Hindi scholars are also being organised during the year under report.

Devanagari Script

A film to popularise the Devnagari script is being prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The script of the film has been finalised and the film is expected to be ready for display in 1972-73.

Hindi Encyclopaedia

A Hindi Encyclopaedia consisting of twelve volumes has been brought out by the Nagari Pracharini Sabha, Varanasi, with financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 15.65 lakhs provided by the Central Government. The first three volumes of the Encyclopaedia have already been sold out and the question of reprinting them is under consideration.

Schemes of the Central Hindi Directorate (CHD) Dictionaries mid Grammar

Several projects on various kinds of dictionaries and Hindi grammar taken up by the Central Hindi Directorate are at various stages of completion as follows:

(i) A revised edition of "A Basic Grammar of Modern Hindi" is expected to be released during the current year. (ii) An English Hindi Dictionary compiled by the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Allahabad, has been published with the financial assistance given by the Government of India. (iii) A MarathiHindi Dictionary compiled by the Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha, Poona is under print. (iv) A revised and enlarged edition of Hindi-English Dictionary containing 20,000 words is under preparation. (v) A dictionary of Hindi Usage (Prayog Kosh) is in the process of preparation in the Central Hindi Directorate. (vi) The revision of glossaries of works common

to Hindi and other Indian languages is also being taken up with the help of expert agencies. (vii) The preparation of the following 12 Trilingual Dictionaries has been taken in band:

(a) Hindi-Tamil-English.

(b) Hindi-Telugu-English.

(d) Hindi-Kannada-English.

(e) Hindi-Gujarati-English.

(f) Hindi-Assamese-English.

(g) Tamil-Hindi-English.

(h) Telugu-Hindi-English.

(i) Malayalam-Hindi-English.

(j) Kannada-Hindi-English.

(k) Gujarati-Hindi-English.

(l) Assamese-Hindi-English.

Bharatiya Sahitya Mala

To make literary writings in various modern Indian languages through the medium of Hindi, available, the Central Hindi Directorate has undertaken production of:

(i) a short history of Indian literature (Ready for the press), and

(ii) a collection of short stories in each of the 15 Indian languages, translated into Hindi and transliterated into amplified Devanagari script (under preparation).

Preparation, Publication and Translation of Hindi Books in Collaboration with Publishers

Under the scheme 29 books were published at a total cost of Rs. 1.45 lakhs. During 1971-72, 14 books, have already been approved.

Translation of non-Statutory Procedural Literature, Manuals Codes, Forms etc.

This work has been transferred to the Central Translation Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs with effect from 1st March, 1971.

Propagation of Hindi Abroad

A scheme for the propagation of Hindi in foreign countries. particularly in those countries' which are predominantly populated by the people of Indian origin, was approved in February, 1970 with a provision of Rs. 25 lakhs in the Fourth Five Year Plan. The main objectives of the scheme are:

(i) to promote Hindi writing locally;

(ii) to train their nationals as far possible locally for teaching Hindi;

(iii) Provision of library facilities.

(iv) provision of fellowships for advanced study in Hindi and Hindi teaching methods in India to promote greater cultural contacts;

Hindi books of the value of Rs. 1 lakh are to be supplied to the following 10 countries; Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Surinam, Trinidad, Nepal, Ceylon, Thailand, Kenya and Malayasia.